It never happened. Or so they say. But we watched it with our own eyes, and so talk about it we must. The second season of Star Trek: Discovery started off with a decidedly old-school flavor before taking us on a search for Spock and a mind-bending trip through time.

In this episode of The Ready Room, hosts C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek look back at Star Trek: Discovery’s sophomore mission as we discuss everything from the Burnham-centric nature of the universe and the use of Section 31 to the power of Pike and the fan–writer feedback loop; and, of course, the battle for attention among magical rocks.

As Star Trek: Discovery returns for its second season, the ball is just starting to roll toward what could be a new golden age for the franchise. Shorts Treks have shown how versatile Star Trek can be, and a whole slew of new projects are either in production, preparing to start, or under series consideration. In this episode of The Ready Room, hosts C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek ride a subspace shockwave through a list of Star Treks to come, sharing their thoughts on Discovery season two, Short Treks, the return of Jean Luc Picard, Lower Decks and more possible animation, Georgiou and Section 31, Starfleet Academy, a Khan miniseries, and the slow demise of the Kelvin Timeline.

Few characters in Star Trek history are as widely loved as Captain Jean Luc Picard. When the final credits of Nemesis rolled in December 2002, fans thought they had seen the last of the The Next Generation’s inspirational leader. So, when Patrick Stewart took the stage at this year’s Las Vegas convention—nearly 16 years after after he strolled down the corridor of the Enterprise one last time for viewers to see—no one imagined that he would reveal a return to the franchise. But that’s exactly what we’re getting. Set 20 years after Nemesis, a new Star Trek television series will feature none other than Jean Luc Picard.

In this episode of The Ready Room, hosts C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek share their thoughts on the announcement—including Larry’s firsthand impressions from the floor of STLV—and discuss some of the other big news, including production troubles with the next JJ Abrams Kelvin Timeline film as Chris Pine and Chris Hemsworth walk away from the table over money, the release of Star Trek: Discovery season one on Blu-ray and DVD, and what we see as the maturation of CBS’s approach to Star Trek. We also dig into some of the big revelations about and changes coming to Discovery in season two, such as the return of Doctor Culber, appearances by Captain Pike and Spock, retconning uniforms, and, of course, another redesign of the Klingons.

When CBS announced in November 2015 that Star Trek would return to television, we all celebrated the light at the end of the tunnel. The fallow years were coming to an end and, soon, the voyages of our future selves would continue where they belong: on the small screen. But details were scarce, and it took some time before we knew what to expect. Almost three years later, we find ourselves in a similar position—only this time what may be coming our way is not just a new series or movie, but a tsunami of new content.

In this episode of The Ready Room, C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek discuss some of the recent news surrounding the Star Trek franchise, including award nominations and wins for Discovery, the shake-up among that show’s producers and writers, the possible return of Patrick Stewart, and Alex Kurtzman’s new deal with CBS, what it could mean for the studio’s plans to greatly expand the franchise, and whether they should. But before all that, we take time to look back at Harlan Ellison and his contributions to Star Trek and the genre.

We’ve all heard the stories about how Star Trek: The Next Generation was created. Or have we? While rummaging through Gene Roddenberry’s drawers, Larry Nemecek, John Champion, and Rod Roddenberry uncovered a long-lost memo from 1986 that presents a TNG that is very different from the one we know. The document, prepared by Paramount Network Television President John S. Pike, Greg Strangis, Jeff Hayes, and Rick Berman, outlines a premise, crew, and pilot for Star Trek’s return to television that until now was unknown.

In this episode of The Ready Room, C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek bring you an extended discussion about the document featured in episode four of Larry’s podcast, The Trek Files. We imagine what the adventures of Captain Rhon, Cadet Commander Brik, the painfully beautiful Helen Joyce, and the USS Odyssey might have been like—and why the security of the galaxy might depend on young Klingon officer Mynk and a simple piece of paper.

In our news segment, we look at Star Trek: Discovery’s nomination for Outstanding Drama Series in the GLADD Media Awards, given by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, a new book filled with lost scenes from The Original Series, and Larry shares his thoughts on a subject he’s very passionate: Tellarites.

It’s been a quarter century since Benjamin Sisko arrived at one of the Federation’s most remote outposts—Deep Space 9—and began a journey of self discovery that would turn the Star Trek model on its head. Overshadowed by The Next Generation and then Voyager, Deep Space Nine quietly flew under the radar and developed into a series that would later emerge as what many consider the franchise’s crown jewel. It’s a show that fans are rediscovering—and some are discovering for the first time—in this age of streaming and binge-watching. And it has stood the test of time in a remarkable way.

In this episode of The Ready Room, C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek look back at 25 years of Deep Space Nine, discussing its development, premiere, the roles of Rick Berman and Michael Piller, why the love fans have for the show continues to grow, and much more.

In our news segment, we consider the camaraderie of past Star Trek casts in light of Jonathan Frakes’s comments about the crew of Discovery, check out the 4-disc La-La Land Records Deep Space Nine Volume 2 Limited Edition music collection, and remember Jon Paul Steuer, the actor who played young Alexander on The Next Generation. Plus, Larry has a special announcement about activity detected in Trekland.

After nearly two years of waiting—and much speculation—we’re now well into the Star Trek: Discovery story. How does what we’ve seen compare to our expectations? What do we think of the writing and creative decisions so far?

In this episode of The Ready Room, C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek revisit some the topics from their last discussion—including an ancient Klingon secret, a unique Vulcan story, and the business side of Discovery—and explore new topics such as the storytelling format, technology, Section 31, how Discovery is connecting with past Star Trek, and whether these connections might change the fan conversation over whether The Animated Series and the literary universe are canon.

Chapters Intro (00:00:00) The Business Side of Discovery (00:05:39) Fall Season Extended (00:17:29) Ancient Klingon Secret Revisited (00:22:46) Sarek and Burnham’s Vulcan Adventure Revisited (00:45:12) A Fourth Approach to Vulcans (00:55:47) Future Debate About Canon (01:08:11) Is Discovery a Section 31 Ship? (01:24:37) Spore Drive and Iconian Gateways (01:32:21) A Different Way of Telling a Story (01:39:40) Closing (01:48:32)

We’re just two months away from the launch of Star Trek’s seventh venture onto the small screen: Discovery. As summer heats up and convention season kicks into gear, news about the series, images from the set, and interviews with creators are bringing us new details and stirring the pot of speculation more feverishly than ever.

In this episode of The Ready Room, C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek get together to discuss some of the latest tidbits, including an ancient Klingon secret, a unique (or as Alex Kurtzman calls it a very, very unique) Vulcan story, Riker on the set, the business side of Discovery, and much more. Plus, we make an exciting announcement about the Trek.fm podcast network.

Kirk has a history of getting involved in the domestic disputes of other worlds and trying to set the locals straight. That’s why the little Federation clean-up ship is always trailing the Enterprise. Of course, when the planet in question is a member of the Federation, is refusing to do its part to help another member world, and is torturing its own people, it’s a lot easier to justify stepping in. That’s what happened in the third-season episode “The Cloud Minders.”

In this episode of The Ready Room, host C Bryan Jones is joined by Zachary Fruhling, Amy Nelson, and Justin Oser to discuss this story of a city in the sky, cave dwellers, the stratification of society, and deadly gas. Along the way we debate what it means to be part of the United Federation of Planets, how laws might apply to such a vast political organization, and why Spock is so flirty when his head is in the clouds.

In our news segment, we examine Mike Okuda’s new design for NASA’s flight operations emblem, talk about the winners of the Qualcomm Tricorder XPRIZE, and explore what it will take to make a Star Trek-style medical tricorder a reality.

Sometimes it would be nice to have a transporter. What Star Trek fans hasn’t had that thought? But would we really want to be disassembled atom by atom and put back together somewhere far away? Hoshi certainly didn’t in the second-season Enterprise episode “Vanishing Point,” but it was her only way out of a deadly situation.

In this episode of The Ready Room, host C Bryan Jones is joined by Justin Oser, Aaron Harvey, and Luke Weir to discuss Hoshi’s eight-second mental adventure, her father’s confusion, early transporter technology, the repetition of story concepts in Star Trek and, of course, the legend of Cyrus Ramsey.

In our news segment, we explore the new video vault component of the Deep Space Nine documentary and take a trip through the Cosmos as LeVar Burton brings Carl Sagan’s classic to life.

Feature Initial Thoughts (00:25:01) ETP: Early Transporter Phobia (00:32:44) Only in Her Head (00:45:11) Overcoming Fears (00:54:05) I am Hoshi’s Dad. I am Smart. (00:59:59) The Aliens that Weren’t (01:10:46) Third Verse, Same As the First (01:20:51) Final Thoughts and Ratings (01:27:34) Closing (01:33:56)

We all want to escape from our lives sometimes. What if you could really do it? What if you couldn’t remember the life you left behind? And what if it was all against your will? That’s what happens to the crew of the Starship Voyager in the seventh-season episode “Workforce.”

In this episode of The Ready Room, hosts C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek are joined by Kay Elizabeth Shaw of To The Journey and Bruce Gibson of Literary Treks to discuss this story of the Voyager crew’s other life as employees of a power facility on the planet Quarra.

In our extended news segment, Chris and Larry share their thoughts on the Star Trek: Discovery trailer presented at CBS upfronts, the international Netflix version of the trailer, the new look of the Klingons, and more.

The premiere of the next Star Trek series may be delayed, but there’s still plenty to talk about. In this episode of The Ready Room, host C Bryan Jones returns from medical leave and hops on mic with Larry Nemecek to discuss some of the news from the past eight months. Looking at Star Trek: Discovery, we delve into the time period, ships, stories, writers, characters, casting, production, delays … and imagine the return of a classic alien. We also recap some of the key moments from Star Trek’s 50th anniversary year and how we’re carrying the excitement into the 51st.

Sometimes actions can have unexpected consequences. Such was the case in The Original Series when Kirk convinced Mirror Spock to turn the Terran Empire from evil to good. Only he didn’t know it. Kirk had the best intentions, but maybe there was a reason the Terrans were the way they were. We learned the result of Kirk’s speech in the Deep Space Nine episode “Crossover,” the first of many trips to the Mirror Universe for the DS9 crew.

In this episode of The Ready Room, we’re joined by Zachary Fruhling, Rumman Chowdhury, and Brandon-Shea Mutala to discuss the first onscreen foray into the Mirror Universe since TOS. Beginning with Kirk’s actions, we continue on to explore the disastrous consequences his words had for the humans of this universe, how oppression impacts lives, and how sexuality can be used to wield power over others. We also discuss various DS9 characters and their mirror counterparts, and how circumstances bring out different traits.

Plus, in our news segment we discuss the lineup of events and panels scheduled for Star Trek: Mission New York.

The first rule of Rubicun III is don’t play in the flowerbeds. No wait … that would be “run everywhere.” But staying away from the flowers is definitely rule number two. And if don’t obey the rules, there’s only one punishment: death. The boy, Wesley Crusher, learned this the hard way when Picard allowed his crew to go on shore leave on a pre-warp world.

In this episode of The Ready Room, we’re joined by Bruce Gibson and Luke Weir to discuss “Justice” … and why there can be none when laws are absolute. We also debate whether a system of absolute laws could actually work, the highly sensual nature of 1987 Star Trek, the obsession with god-like aliens, and more.

Bit by bit we’ve been learning what Bryan Fuller and CBS have in store for us when the seventh Star Trek series launches in January 2017. The initial reveal of the name and hints about the time period got fans talking, and then the reveal of the ship and a teaser turned up the heat. Now a batch of details, revealed by Fuller at CBS’s All Access panel for the Television Critics Association in Los Angeles, has set a flurry of speculation in motion.

In this special episode of The Ready Room, C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek join the crowd to break down 13 points about Star Trek: Discovery and what they might mean for the first new Star Trek on television in more than a decade.

Chapters Intro (00:00:00) The Time Period and The Incident (00:09:27) Amanda Grayson and Story Structure (00:15:46) The Lead Character and Point of View (00:22:04) Crew Diversity (00:26:38) More Aliens! (00:29:36) Robots! (00:38:35) TOS Characters Return? (00:47:21) The USS Discovery (00:52:07) The Aesthetic of the Show (01:07:45) Closing (01:24:17)

After Star Trek Into Darkness, many questioned whether there would be a third film set in the Kelvin Timeline. The road to Beyond was a rocky one that included a complete reset of script, writer, and director. But in the end, Simon Pegg, Justin Lin, and the cast and crew of this rebooted Star Trek delivered a film that celebrates the 50th anniversary of the franchise, and that has surprised fans and critics alike.

In this episode of The Ready Room, Matthew Rushing takes over the captain’s chair following news and is joined by John Mills and Bruce Gibson to discuss Star Trek Beyond: the characters, the story, the action … music, villain, and more.

In our news segment, Chris and Matthew discuss the end of IDW’s Ongoing comic series—plus the launch of a new one called Boldy Go—and the kick off of the 50th Anniversary Star Trek Art Exhibition “50 Artists. 50 Years.”

Feature: Star Trek Beyond Synopsis and Initial Thoughts (00:23:58) Character Growth (00:32:58) Jaylah (01:05:52) The Story and the Villain (01:09:48) The Music, Effects, and Design (01:22:46) The Action (01:29:09) The Very Last Question (01:33:31) Final Thoughts (01:37:52)

Uncontrolled power will turn even saints into savages. This is what Captain Kirk explains to Parmen, the sadistic leader of the Platonians in “Plato’s Stepchildren.” Despite saving the man’s life, Kirk, Spock, and McCoy are held hostage and tortured—along with Uhura and Nurse Chapel—when they refuse to leave the doctor behind and accept some random gifts.

In this episode of The Ready Room, we’re joined by Aaron Harvey, Andi VanderKolk, and Mike Morrison to discuss this episode that—despite being amongst TOS’s campiest—has been an inspiration to many since it first aired in 1968.

In our news segment, Aaron shares a first-hand account of the Star Trek Beyond press conference held at the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills on July 14, and his spoiler-free impressions of the movie, which was shown the day before at LA’s Century City. We also discuss the news that there will be a fourth film set in the Kelvin Timeline and how they should handle the loss of Anton Yelchin.

Some things never go out of style. Take zombies, for instance. They’re wildly popular on 21st-century Earth, and they can be found in the 22nd-century Expanse as well. But what happens when you mix the living dead with logic? That’s what Archer and the crew of the Enterprise had to find out when they stumbled upon a zombified Vulcan crew in “Impulse.”

In this episode of The Ready Room, we’re joined by Mike Morrison, Dennis Castello, and Phillip Gilfus to discuss this horror story from Enterprise’s third season. We explore the Trellium-D conundrum, Jolene Blalock’s portrayal of a Vulcan losing control, parallels to DS9’s “Empok Nor,” and the importance of the coda that almost wasn’t. We also discuss the episodes’s amazing visuals and ponder the design of Starfleet’s 22nd-century hospital garb.

Plus, in our news segment, we look at details of the next Star Trek series as revealed by executive producer and showrunner Bryan Fuller, and we share our thoughts on Rihanna’s “Sledgehammer” and the use of non-orchestral music in Star Trek.

Dinosaurs may have been smarter than we think. Some of them may still be. That’s because they live in space and fly around in ships based on technology 65 million years more advanced than that of Starfleet. When that asteroid headed for Earth all those years ago, these hadrosaurs said sayonara to the planet’s mammals.

In this episode of The Ready Room, we’re joined by Zachary Fruhling and Aaron Harvey to discuss one of Voyager’s most unusual stories, “Distant Origin.” Does the science work? Does it even matter? We follow Voth scientists Gegen and Veer as they put together a galaxy-spanning puzzle made of 47 pieces. We discuss how the story parallels Galileo, Star Trek’s evolutionary arrow, the holodeck as a scientific instrument, the mating rituals of mammals, and more.

Plus, in our news segment, we debate the new name for the JJ Abrams rendition of Star Trek and take a look at the newly refurbished USS Enterprise model, now back on display at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.

We know that Odo has a colored past. He held the post of security chief under the regime of Gul Dukat during the occupation of Bajor. As an outsider, he would seem to be the ideal candidate to protect the Bajorans from unchecked Cardassian brutality. But while he sees himself as the voice of justice, a strict adherence to policy can lead to wrong decisions. That’s what happened when he allowed three innocent Bajorans to be executed on his watch.

In this episode of The Ready Room, we’re joined Mike Schindler, Mike Morrison, and Brandon-Shea Mutala to discuss the delayed aftermath of that event in the episode “Things Past.” It’s a unique semi-flashback story that puts Odo in the shoes of one of the executed men—along with Sisko and Garak. Join us as we discuss Odo’s choices, how DS9 builds its mythology, Quark during the Occupation, Kira’s powerful moment, and much more.

Plus, in our news segment, we discuss the writing team for the new Star Trek television series as well as the many flavors of Star Trek Beyond that are headed to theaters—including IMAX, IMAX Laser, Dolby Cinema, and the very unique Barco Escape.

News The Star Trek 2017 Writing Team (00:03:05) The Various Star Trek Beyond Film Formats (00:17:02)

When you have a story that features both Ferengi and Klingon scientists, you know you're in for something unusual. Throw in a Takaran, and you may start to feel blue—especially if you've lost your job after causing an intergalactic incident. This is what happens to Dr. Crusher in “Suspicions.”

In this episode of The Ready Room, we’re joined Larry Nemecek, Sue Kisenwether, and Mike Morrison to discuss this episode of Murder, She Wrote in space and why it sometimes feels like the pieces don’t quite fit together. Larry reveals some behind-the-scenes information you won’t find anywhere else—at least not when we recorded this—and also makes a few bad Data jokes.

So join us as Beverly Crusher violates orders, desecrates an alien corpse, and turns Nurse Ogawa into an accomplice … all to make Jessica Fletcher proud.

Plus, in a super-sized news segment, we discuss the Star Trek 2017 teaser trailer, the second Star Trek Beyond trailer, Larry’s experience at the Paramount fan event, and an unexpected twist in the Axanar lawsuit.

Having your body taken over by an alien is a risk every Starfleet officer takes. And, as Kirk has said, risk is our business. Being possessed of your own free will, however, isn’t usually how it works. But when the disembodied voice of Jimmy Doohan asks a favor, it’s hard to resist. That’s what happens to Captain Kirk when the crew of the USS Enterprise visit a long-dead planet being used to store giant lightbulbs.

In this episode of The Ready Room, we’re joined by Brandon-Shea Mutala, Zachary Fruhling, and Phillip Gilfus to discuss the classic Star Trek episode “Return to Tomorrow.” Why did Kirk decide to let Sargon take over his body? Why was Doctor Pulaski so eager to be possessed as well? And how did Leonard Nimoy master the art of leaning at a 45-degree angle? Plus, what’s with all the seed spreading? Join us to find out.

In our news segment, we discuss details about the new TV series, straight from Les Moonves himself, and the stamp craze that has now spread to Canada.

It’s hard to believe that it’s been five years since the first episode of The Ready Room. Born of disaster, this show has evolved into a gathering place for the hosts of the network that grew up around it. The Trek.fm network has become an important part of the daily routine for many Star Trek fans, but there was a time when there was no network. There was just this show. So as we reach another milestone—200 episodes—we take a break from our usual format to quietly mark the occasion with a good friend who has been part of The Ready Room almost since the beginning: Larry Nemecek.

But first, we start with a bit of the history behind both The Ready Room and the network …

Chapters The History of The Ready Room (00:00:00) Larry Beams In (00:26:47) Where Was the Franchise in 2011? (00:39:38) Where We Are Now (00:54:31) Star Trek’s Return to TV (01:02:25) Five Years of The Ready Room (01:18:03) The Changing Media Landscape (01:37:47) Fandom Triumphs (01:50:05) The Direction of the New Series (02:00:59) Final Thoughts (02:16:22)

Most aliens in Star Trek are presented in terms that the human mind can understand. The Klingons, the Romulans, even the Borg. We can make sense of their actions and motives. But in reality, new life that we meet out in space will have a lot less in common with us. Enterprise attempted to address this truth midway through its first season in “Silent Enemy,” which pitted our crew against beings that only CGI could create—and who never spoke a word.

In this episode of The Ready Room, we’re joined by Zachary Fruhling, Brandon-Shea Mutala, and Dennis Castello to discuss this episode that includes not an alien mystery, but also a culinary one. Join us as we talk about the true nature of Malcolm Reed, Captain Archer’s decision to tuck tail and run, the real reason the Enterprise needed phase cannons to be installed, and, of course, the infamous B-story: the search for Malcolm’s favorite food.

In our news segment, we discuss a new collection of the classic James Blish TOS novelizations, the results of the Strange New Worlds short story contest, and Simon Pegg’s thoughts on the foundation of Star Trek.

When you live on a starship, you get to know your neighbors.
Sometimes you get to know them well. Especially if you’re Seven of
Nine and you’re taking an interest in interpersonal relations.
Armed with Borg implants and 24th-century Starfleet technology,
gathering data is easy. The only problem is that some of your
subjects may not want to be part of the study.

In this episode of The Ready Room, we’re joined by Charlynn
Schmiedt, Zachary Fruhling, and Phillip Gilfus to discuss “Someone
to Watch Over Me.” Join us for the Dance of Conception as the
Doctor teaches Seven how to land a date, sweep him off his feet …
and break his arm … all while mastering the art of small talk.
We also delve into the potential of a Doctor-Seven relationship,
what happens when you leave Neelix in charge of caring for
diplomats, and the exploits of Leisure Suit Kadi.

In our news segment, we discuss Star Trek: The Animated Series
coming to Blu-ray, supposed pre-production photos from the new
series, and we debate the StarTrek.com poll that asked which was
the best Star Trek relationship.

Events in Star Trek—even tragic ones—rarely have lasting
consequences. Deep Space Nine changed that with arcs that took
place during the Dominion War. In particular, in the final season,
Nog’s injuries in battle led to a deep exploration of the lasting
impact of a single moment in time—and they did it with the usual
DS9 mix of serious commentary and humor.

In this episode of The Ready Room, we’re joined by Zachary
Fruhling and Matthew Rushing to discuss Nog’s retreat to the
holosuite, his struggle to come to terms with the physical and
emotional damage of his experiences in “The Siege of AR-558,” and
the counseling tag-team of Ezri Dax and Vic Fontaine who brought
him back to reality.

In our news segment, we discuss additional shooting (reported as
reshoots by most media) for Star Trek Beyond, a special agreement
between CBS and Paramount that dictated a six-month post-film
waiting period for Star Trek’s return to TV, and Rod Roddenberry
joining the new series as Executive Producer.

Everyone gets a bit too stressed sometimes. And when that
happens, it can be difficult to enjoy anything—even the negotiation
of a successful trade agreement. When this happened to Captain
Picard, the crew had to pull together to force him to take a
vacation. But of course, a Picard vacation isn't quite like the
ones you and I take.

In this episode of The Ready Room, we’re joined by Aaron Harvey,
Matthew Rushing, and Mike Schindler to discuss “Captain’s Holiday,”
Jean-Luc and Vash, the prolific Max Grodenchek (he’s everywhere!),
Riker’s counseling skills, and why you should be careful where you
put your Horga'hn.

In our news segment, we consider whether William Shatner’s
return as Captain Kirk would be a good idea or a bad one, debate
the StarTrek.com poll that asked Star Trek pet you would want to
have, and discuss the choice of Bryan Fuller as show-runner for the
new Star Trek series premiering in 2017.

You probably already know that it’s not a good idea to stare
into a bright light. When there are many lights—and they’re
multi-colored—doing so becomes an even worse idea. You could damage
your eyesight, or perhaps have you brainwave replaced by that of a
group of alien minds searching for a body to call home. That’s what
happened to Lt. Mira Romaine in “The Lights of Zetar,” the
third-season TOS episode that plays with character personalities,
limited financial resources, and has a connection to a beloved
children’s show.

In this episode of The Ready Room, we’re joined by Larry Nemecek
and Brandon-Shea Mutala to discuss Memory Alpha, Scotty in love,
how you can blame anything on space, and why horses might not make
the best engineers. We also delve into some Season Three trivia,
production shortcuts, and remastered TOS elements.

In our news segment, Chris and Larry discuss whether the
ascension of Les Moonves to Chair of CBS Corp. will have an impact
on Star Trek, when we’ll hear first details about the Star Trek
2017 series, and the future of Star Trek on streaming services not
called CBS All Access. Plus, Larry fills us in on the latest
happenings in Portal 47.

Some of the best episodes of Star Trek are heavy on dialogue and
light on action. But taking two characters and shoving them into a
tiny space, from which they deliver incessant dialogue for 45
minutes, was a gutsy move for a new show trying to engage skeptical
audiences in its first season. Did it pay off?

In this episode of The Ready Room, we’re joined by Matthew
Rushing, Daniel Proulx, and Kevin Reitzel to discuss this very
small bottle show, what it tells us about the characters, hope vs.
pessimism, the deleted scene, and more. Oh … and we might
mention T’Pol once of twice.

In our news segment, we look back at 24 years of The
Undiscovered Country, debate the StarTrek.com poll that asked which
captain you would want to swap places with for a day, and discuss
Star Trek Beyond piggybacking on Star Wars: The Force Awakens with
a first trailer.

Voyager is known for telling stories that rely heavily on
technobabble. Sometimes it supports the story, sometimes it
doesn’t. Season Two’s “Deadlock” is one of those cases in which
technobabble was inescapable, but also necessary. How else do you
explain two Voyager’s, two disheveled buns of steel, and Harry
Kim’s dopplegänger?

In this episode of The Ready Room, we’re joined by Larry
Nemecek, Charlynn Schmiedt, and Brandon-Shea Mutala to discuss the
oddity that is “Deadlock,” parallel universes, Vidiians,
generational ships, Chakotay’s weird baby comments, an inordinate
number of script changes, and much more.

In our news segment, we look back at 19 years of First Contact
and 29 years of The Voyage Home, talk with Terrace Cassidy about
Geek Nation Tours’ new “Touch the Stars” program, and try to
unravel the mysterious case of Enterprise stunt director Vince
Deadrick’s disappearing chair.

At the end of its first season, Deep Space Nine really began to
take on the form that would define the series. The writers wanted
to follow up the powerful “Duet” with something even better, even
more layered. To do this, they brought together the Federation’s
scientific approach to the world and the Bajorans’ religious one.
The clash of philosophies tells us a lot about our own world as
well as Gene Roddenberry’s vision for Star Trek. And it introduced
us to one of Star Trek’s great villains.

In this episode of The Ready Room, we’re joined by Will Nguyen,
Mike Morrison, and Ken Tripp to discuss DS9’s first-season finale,
“In the Hands of the Prophets,” the introduction of Winn and
Bareil, handling religion on Star Trek, Keiko the grumpy, Sisko the
mediator, and much more.

In our news segment, we discuss the comments of Paramount’s
Motion Picture Group president Marc Evan about a possible grittier
future for Star Trek, and Dayton Ward’s upcoming travel guide that
will get you ready for your visit to Vulcan.

The last person you’d expect to be looking for love on the
Enterprise is Data. But that’s just what happens in “In Theory.”
Well, Data wasn’t actually looking for love, but once it presented
itself the prospect got its own subroutine … and the 1701-D became
The Love Boat, filled with advice from corners both expected and
not.

In this episode of The Ready Room, we’re joined by Charlynn
Schmiedt, Andi VanderKolk, and Zachary Fruhling to discuss our
robotic loverboy, the Riker book of moves, the future of
human-android relations, and, unexpectedly, what cats do on
starships. It’s all part of the fun when we share our theory of “In
Theory.”

In our news segment, we discuss William Shatner's idea for a
Star Trek musical, The Oatmeal's retelling of a famous Gene
Roddenberry story, and some exciting news about our network.

In Theory. The last person you’d expect to be looking for love
on the Enterprise is Data. But that’s just what happens in “In
Theory.” We discuss our robotic loverboy, the Riker book of moves,
and much more.

It’s been more than a decade since Star Trek left the air, and
at long last CBS has answered the cries of fans. In January 2017,
Star Trek will return to TV with an all-new series. But what form
will it take?

In this special episode of The Ready Room, we’re joined by Larry
Nemecek to take a closer look at the nuts and bolts of the CBS
announcement, debate the setting—Prime Universe or
Abramsverse—consider the format this Trek might take as a
made-for-streaming show, explore Alex Kurtzman’s Star Trek fandom,
consider how CBS will handle the creation of a series in the age of
social media, and, of course, touch on the controversial
distribution method.

Chapters
Waking Up to the News (00:02:18)
The Nuts and Bolts (00:07:00)
Prime of J.J. Abrams (00:13:34)
Movie vs. TV as an Origin Point (00:25:32)
The Format (00:30:38)
More About Kurtzman (00:45:53)
The Development Process: What to Expect (00:51:26)
Launching in the Age of Social Media (00:58:19)
The Great Distribution Controversy (01:14:47)

When fans think of Klingon episodes on TOS, they think of
“Errand of Mercy,” “Day of the Dove,” and “The Trouble with
Tribbles.” The second appearance of the classic villains was made
in what is really a Bones story—they just happen to be there.
“Friday's Child” gets overlooked by fans, yet it builds upon the
Organian Peace Treaty and allows Dr. McCoy to step into the
spotlight all at the same time.

In this episode of The Ready Room, we’re joined by Larry
Nemecek, Charlynn Schmiedt, and Zachary Fruhling to discuss the
other Vasquez Rocks show, those dastardly Klingons, wearing carpet
in the desert, how Dorothy Fontana handles the symmetry between
Kirk, Spock, and McCoy, and whether or not “Friday’s Child” is the
most undervalued TOS episode.

In our news segment, we discuss the recent Beverly Crusher Day
and upcoming Deanna Troi Day, more from the Star Trek Beyond Dubai
set and its alien faces, and we discuss the StarTrek.com poll that
asked which series has the saddest episodes.

During Enterprise’s third season, the crew’s mission to find the Xindi superweapon took an unexpected turn when they encountered … themselves. Well, not exactly themselves, but their offspring. In a time travel story that had nothing to do with the Temporal Cold War, Archer stumbled upon a helping hand in the form of Trip and T’Pol’s son. And along the way, the crew caught a glimpse of what their personal lives would—or could—become. In this episode of The Ready Room, we’re joined by Norm Lao, Will Nguyen, and Mike Morrison to discuss how the story fits into the overall Xindi arc, the balance between temporal mechanics and character building, and, of course, what happens when you get two T’Pol’s together in one room.

In our news segment, we discuss some 50th anniversary Ships of the Line art prints, the Autobiography of James T. Kirk, the Star Trek Beyond Dubai set, and we debate the results of the StarTrek.com "Best Couple" poll.

As Voyager entered its final season, fans had a lot of
questions. Would the crew get home? Would it happen before the
finale? Would Neelix and Seven make the trip to Earth? Would
Janeway and Chakotay finally hook up? Would Harry die one more
time? Lots of questions. We know what we ultimately got on screen,
but what went on behind the scenes?

In this special episode of The Ready Room, we’re joined by
someone who was there in the writers room, Mike Sussman. After
successfully selling the story that would become “Unimatrix Zero,”
Mike then landed a spot of the writing staff for Voyager’s final
season, and would go on to become a writer and producer on
Enterprise.

Mike joins C Bryan Jones, Larry Nemecek, and Charlynn Schmiedt
to discuss many moments and aspects of Season Seven, including “The
Haunting of Deck Twelve,” “Prophecy,” “Repentance,” and of course
“Unimatrix Zero” and the Borg. We also discuss writing The Doctor,
stories pitched but not produced, the development of Enterprise
while wrapping Voyager, and much more.

In our news segment, we discuss a restoration project for the
original Enterprise filming model, get an update on Portal 47, and
look back at the impact of Robert Wise and The Motion Picture on
Star Trek.

News
Red Shirt Diaries Season Two Premiere (00:01:54)
Restoring the original Enterprise shooting model (00:08:09)
Robert Wise and the impact of The Motion Picture (00:18:55)
Portal 47 update (00:33:29)

Feature: Voyager Season Seven with Mike Sussman
Going from Fan to Staff Writer (00:44:59)
Mike’s Early Spec Scripts and Pitches (00:54:00)
Joining the Voyager Staff (01:01:06)
The Haunting of Deck Twelve (01:07:30)
Third Chances and the Enterprise Transition (01:13:34)
Voyager in the Shadow of Enterprise (01:18:20)
Prophecy and Delta Quadrant Klingons (01:20:48)
Unimatrix Zero and the Borg (01:28:48)
Repentance (01:34:32)
Writing the Doctor (01:38:49)
A Talented Writing Team (01:42:06)
Voyager’s (Alternate) Ending(s) (01:44:20)
Conflicts with Enterprise? (01:51:05)
Looking Back as a Fan (01:54:11)

One of Deep Space Nine’s most loved episodes is an enigma in and of itself. Focusing on just one main character, played by someone other than the normal actor, “The Visitor” highlights the power of DS9’s concept to tell character-driven stories that transcend the usual Star Trek formula. This tale of Jake Sisko’s life after losing his father in a freak accident tugs at the heartstrings for so many viewers—and the intensity of this effect depends on your own life experiences.

In this episode of The Ready Room, we’re joined by Will Nguyen, Phillip Gilfus, and Jeremy Reed to discuss the unusual concept, the performances of Tony Todd and Rachel Robinson, the father-son relationship between Benjamin and Jake Sisko, how Star Trek uses the future time frame, and much more.

In our news segment, we discuss the VFX fixes found only in the Netflix version of TNG, and share our thoughts on the diverse and Star Wars-like aliens found in the Abramsverse.

Hosts

C Bryan Jones and Nguyen

Guests

Phillip Gilfus and Jeremy Reed

Editor and Producer

C Bryan Jones

Executive Producers

Matthew Rushing and Norman C. Lao

Associate Producers

Renee Roberts and Zachary Fruhling

Production Manager

Richard Marquez

Content Manager

Will Nguyen

News

TNG Visual Fixes for Netflix (00:06:57)

The Aliens of the Abramsverse: Good or Bad? (00:17:03)

Feature: The Visitor

Synopsis and Initial Thoughts (00:26:34)

The Concept (00:38:40)

Tony Todd as Jake Sisko (00:46:49)

Mental Health in the Future (00:54:22)

Remember (01:02:26)

Jake’s Path (01:08:11)

Father and Son (01:12:49)

Rachel Robinson (01:17:24)

The Future Time Frame (01:22:46)

Star Trek’s Best? (01:32:24)

Final Thoughts (01:39:28)

Send us your feedback!

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Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact

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Become a Trek.fm Patron on Patreon and help us keep Star Trek talk coming every week. We have great perks for you at http://patreon.com/trekfm

We’ve all heard the expression “selling your soul to the Devil.” The people of Ventax II took this perhaps a bit too literally when nature started getting restless and a con-artist with a claim to the planet showed up. Who can save the day? Well, Kirk, of course. We mean Picard. This is a TNG episode, after all. Only it isn’t.

In this episode of The Ready Room, we’re joined by Daniel Proulx, Jarrah Hodge, and Zachary Fruhling to discuss all things Ardra, how the script for “Devil’s Due” was repurposed for TNG from the aborted Phase II series, how societies fall into apocalyptic thinking, whether Picard’s role would have worked better with Kirk, and much more.

In our news segment, we discuss the first major update to the Star Trek Encyclopedia in 16 years, leaked photos from the next film, and who we think the Star Trek Beyond villain might be.

Hosts

C Bryan Jones and Daniel Proulx

Guests

Jarrah Hodge and Zachary Fruhling

Editor and Producer

C Bryan Jones

Executive Producers

Matthew Rushing and Norman C. Lao

Associate Producers

Renee Roberts and Zachary Fruhling

Production Manager

Richard Marquez

Content Manager

Will Nguyen

News

Star Trek Encyclopedia Due for Major Update (00:04:30)

Star Trek Beyond Leaked Images and Villain (00:11:41)

Feature: Devil’s Due

Synopsis and Initial Thoughts (00:26:09)

The TOS of it All: Adapting the Phase II Script (00:37:46)

Picard/Data or Kirk/Spock (00:47:34)

Apocalyptic Thinking (00:51:42)

Ardra’s Motivations (01:06:53)

The Holodeck Setup (01:18:12)

Final Thoughts (01:22:02)

Send us your feedback!

Twitter: @trekfm

Facebook: http://facebook.com/trekfm

Voicemail: http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm

Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact

Visit the Trek.fm website at http://trek.fm

Subscribe in iTunes: http://itunes.com/trekfm

Support the Network!

Become a Trek.fm Patron on Patreon and help us keep Star Trek talk coming every week. We have great perks for you at http://patreon.com/trekfm

They’re the cutest, most prolific aliens in the Star Trek universe—and also the furriest. They are, of course, Tribbles. And at six credits a head—or a body—they also make for good business. At least that’s what Cyrano Jones thought … until the critters got hankerin’ for some wheat. “The Trouble with Tribbles” remains one of the most beloved Star Trek episodes nearly 50 years after it aired, and in this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by Matthew Rushing, Andi VanderKolk, and Zachary Fruhling to discuss why that is.

Along with the Andorians, the Tellarites are one of the most memorable races from Star Trek that got almost no love after The Original Series went off the air. Even the TOS films merely gave them blink-of-an-eye-cameo attention (in The Voyage Home and The Undiscovered Country). But never fear! As with their fellow, antennae-donning Federation-founders, Enterprise came to the rescue. Sort of. The first Tellarite the 22nd-century gave us didn’t look—nor act—much like those we met in “Journey to Babel.”

In this episode of The Ready Room, we’re joined by Larry Nemecek, Norm Lao, and Will Nguyen, to discuss our hoofed friends and the episode “Bounty.” We explore the first draft of the script, in which the bounty hunter was not Tellarite, and also delve into what it takes to make a new Star Trek series that meets fan expectations for in-universe connections, yet feels fresh at the same time.

In our news segment, we catch up with Larry post-San Diego Comic-Con to talk about the state of Star Trek fandom at conventions, preview plans for Star Trek Las Vegas, and find out what secrets Larry has stashed away in a portal labeled 47.

Hosts

C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek

Guests

Norman C. Lao and Will Nguyen

Editor and Producer

C Bryan Jones

Executive Producers

Matthew Rushing and Norman C. Lao

Associate Producers

Renee Roberts and Zachary Fruhling

Production Manager

Richard Marquez

Content Manager

Will Nguyen

News

Larry’s San Diego Comic-Con Recap (00:01:55)

Star Trek Las Vegas + Geek Nation Tours Update (00:10:10)

Introducing Portal 47 (00:17:43)

Feature: Bounty

Intro and Synopsis (00:32:36)

Tellarite Spotting (00:35:42)

Becoming Tellarite (00:52:14)

The D Plot (01:02:25)

Making a Better Show? (01:10:56)

Missing TOS Links (01:28:17)

Final Thoughts (01:33:12)

Send us your feedback!

Twitter: @trekfm

Facebook: http://facebook.com/trekfm

Voicemail: http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm

Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact

Visit the Trek.fm website at http://trek.fm

Subscribe in iTunes: http://itunes.com/trekfm

Support the Network!

Become a Trek.fm Patron on Patreon and help us keep Star Trek talk coming every week. We have great perks for you at http://patreon.com/trekfm

When Voyager first started making its way home from the Delta Quadrant, the crew were full of hope that they would find a way home that was as quick as the one that stranded them. In “Eye of the Needle,” such a thing almost happened, and the helping hand came from a familiar foe: the Romulans.

In this episode of The Ready Room, we’re joined by Charlynn Schmiedt, Will Nguyen, and Zachary Fruhling to discuss this story from when Voyager was still fresh, the Doctor’s identity dilemma, the crew’s family connections, and the science behind it all.

In our news segment we take a first look at Hallmark’s 2016 Star Trek ornaments lineup, William Shatner and the Autobiography of Captain James T. Kirk, and discuss Idris Elba’s role as lead villain in the first Peggverse film.

Hosts

C Bryan Jones and Charlynn Schmiedt

Guests

Will Nguyen and Zachary Fruhling

Editor and Producer

C Bryan Jones

Executive Producers

Matthew Rushing and Norman C. Lao

Associate Producers

Renee Roberts and Zachary Fruhling

Production Manager

Richard Marquez

Content Manager

Will Nguyen

News

First look at Hallmark’s 2016 ornaments (00:05:42)

Shatner reads Captain Kirk’s autobiography (00:18:06)

Idris Elba and Star Trek Beyond’s lead villain (00:22:59)

Feature: Eye of the Needle

Initial Thoughts (00:33:14)

The Science of It All (00:43:48)

Delta Debbie Downer (00:58:14)

The Doctor’s Identity Crisis (01:04:38)

All in the Family (01:14:58)

Too Soon to the Well? (01:20:16)

Final Thoughts (01:28:25)

Send us your feedback!

Twitter: @trekfm

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Voicemail: http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm

Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact

Visit the Trek.fm website at http://trek.fm

Subscribe in iTunes: http://itunes.com/trekfm

Support the Network!

Become a Trek.fm Patron on Patreon and help us keep Star Trek talk coming every week. We have great perks for you at http://patreon.com/trekfm

There’s a movement that is taking Star Trek fandom by storm. It’s on a screen near you, but it isn’t coming from the studios you’d expect. The movement is Axanar, and it’s Star Trek that fans at conventions—seeing it on screen in the booth—have mistaken for the next TV series. After the success of Prelude, it’s time for the final push to film the full Axanar.

In this episode of The Ready Room, hosts C Bryan Jones and Norman C. Lao are joined by Axanar creator and executive producer Alec Peters and director Robert Meyer Burnett to discuss why they want to make the best independent Star Trek film you’ve ever seen, how they plan to do it, how you can help, and why they’re sure that the Star Trek universe really does exist.

When you can start a show with a lengthy cold-open featuring a tuxedo-clad James Darren crooning a jazz standard—and do it on a Cardassian-built space station in the 24th century—you know you’ve got something special. And that’s just what the Deep Space Nine writers did near the end of the show’s sixth season with “His Way.” It was the culmination of a game a romantic cat-and-mouse between Odo and Kira, but also solidified a creative freedom that would ensure that DS9’s final season would not be hindered by a studio that would make the show square.

In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by Will Nguyen, Sue Kaye, and Jeffrey Harlan to discuss how a light bulb with pretty sweet pipes gave DS9 a special twist, what he meant to the Station’s crew, holographic rights, the Odo-Kira relationship, and more.

In our news segment we debate the results of StarTrek.com’s DS9 Captains poll, discuss the first Trek.fm Patrons Roundtable, and remember James Horner, who brought us so many great film scores.

Hosts

C Bryan Jones and Will Nguyen

Guests

Sue Kaye and Jeffrey Harlan

Editor and Producer

C Bryan Jones

Executive Producers

Matthew Rushing and Norman C. Lao

Associate Producer

Renee Roberts and Zachary Fruhling

Production Manager

Richard Marquez

Content Manager

Will Nguyen

News

Remembering James Horner (00:04:29)

The first Trek.fm Patrons Roundtable (00:09:01)

Poll: The DS9 Character who would make the best captain is… (00:14:39)

Feature: His Way

Intro and Synopsis (00:23:15)

Initial Thoughts (00:27:18)

DS9 Gets Jazzy: Introducing Vic (00:30:54)

AI and Sentience: An Ethical Quandary (00:39:11)

Three Couples Walk Into a Bar… (00:50:18)

Don’t Be a Square: Prepping Odo for Romance (00:57:31)

A Loving Outcome (01:13:37)

Pairing Off On the Station (01:23:54)

Final Thoughts (01:29:50)

Closing (01:37:02)

Send us your feedback!

Twitter: @trekfm

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Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact

Visit the Trek.fm website at http://trek.fm

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Become a Trek.fm Patron on Patreon and help us keep Star Trek talk coming every week. We have great perks for you at http://patreon.com/trekfm

Perhaps no one better symbolizes Star Trek—and the message behind it—than Leonard Nimoy. Just as fathers influence their children, Leonard Nimoy did this for millions around the world. And in this episode of The Ready Room, recorded on Father’s Day, hosts Christopher Jones and Larry Nemecek are joined by someone who knows this better than anyone: Leonard’s son, Adam. Currently working on a documentary called “For The Love of Spock,” Adam helps us all remember the incredible talent and influence that his father brought to the world as we discuss the project, his life growing up with a famous dad, his own work directing episodes of TNG, and much more.

In our news segment, we share our thoughts on the recent news that Paramount has invited a fan to pitch their idea for a TV series—previously called Star Trek Beyond, but now renamed Star Trek Uncharted. We also check in on Nichelle Nichols’s recovery, and Mike Rittenhouse and Noah Butler of the band Five Year Mission drop by to preview their upcoming EP release, “Spock’s Brain.”

After three appearances as a thorn in Picard’s side, Q has been kicked out of the omnipotence club. With only a split second to decide his own fate, Q chose to be made human and sent to the ship of his only friend in the universe: Jean Luc Picard. But was this really a good idea?

In this episode of The Ready Room, we’re joined by Will Nguyen, Andi VanderKolk, and Daniel Handlin to discuss the third-season TNG episode “Déjà Q.” We take a look at the cruel and unusual punishment meted out by Q’s fellow superfriends, how he handles terrifying experiences like getting hungry and falling asleep, and what he learns about being human from Data. We also reach into the Magic Bag of B-Plot Crises and pull out the “falling moon” card… just like the writers!

In our news segment, we share our thoughts on Simon Pegg’s comments that Paramount found Orci’s original Star Trek 3 script “too Trek-y,” what the Chinese starship building really looks like to us, and the potential of the upcoming game Star Trek Timelines. Plus, stick around for the closing segment where we discuss listener feedback about a new Star Trek series and CBS All Access.

Hosts

Christopher Jones and Will Nguyen

Guests

Andi VanderKolk and Daniel Handlin

Editor and Producer

Christopher Jones

Executive Producers

Matthew Rushing and Norman C. Lao

Associate Producer

Renee Roberts

Production Manager

Richard Marquez

Content Manager

Will Nguyen

News

China’s Star Trek Starship Building (00:02:24)

Simon Pegg Says Paramount Doesn’t Want “Too Trek-y” (00:04:40)

Star Trek Timelines Nearing Launch (00:19:15)

Feature: Déjà Q

Intro and Synopsis (00:30:14)

First Impressions (00:34:23)

Banished from the Continuum (00:42:46)

Cruel and Unusual Punishment: Q as a Human (00:51:54)

The Magic Bag of Crisis Plots (01:05:56)

Data Teaches Humanity 101 (01:19:05)

A More Serious Tone? (01:28:14)

Final Thoughts (01:31:48)

Closing: Star Trek and CBS All Access (01:35:44)

Send us your feedback!

Twitter: @trekfm

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Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact

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Become a Trek.fm Patron on Patreon and help us keep Star Trek talk coming every week. We have great perks for you at http://patreon.com/trekfm

Nearly 50 years after it was written, “City” remains one of the most beloved of all Star Trek episodes. It’s the first time travel story that most fans remember (sorry “Naked Time” and “Tomorrow Is Yesterday”) and made screwing with the past cool long before it became Star Trek’s go-to trope. But, as a story that really lacks most of what makes TOS what it is, why does this story transcend time?

In this episode of The Ready Room, we’re joined by Phillip Gilfus, Andi VanderKolk, and Daniel Proulx to seek out the answer. We explore the premise, the time travel mechanism, soft-focus lighting, Edith Keeler’s place in time, Kirk’s dilemma, and what the story might have been like had it been set in Chicago—as Harlan Ellison originally wrote it. And, along the way, we find all the culture. Or at least most of it.

In our news segment, we share our thoughts on Jonathan Frakes’s recent comments about Star Trek not returning to television, and we remember the woman who, with her beehive hair and just eight appearances, helped define The Original Series.

Hosts

Christopher Jones and Phillip Gilfus

Guests

Andi VanderKolk and Daniel Proulx

Editor and Producer

Christopher Jones

Executive Producers

Matthew Rushing and Norman C. Lao

Associate Producer

Renee Roberts

Production Manager

Richard Marquez

Content Manager

Will Nguyen

News

Remembering Grace Lee Whitney (00:04:11)

Frakes Says No New Star Trek on TV (00:10:48)

Feature: The City On the Edge of Forever

Intro and Synopsis (00:23:31)

First Impressions (00:29:27)

The Grandaddy of Time Travel Stories (00:37:40)

Edith Keeler Must Die! (00:47:56)

Spot-on Spock and Kirk (00:58:47)

Kirk’s Decision (01:01:05)

Unitards, Sequels, and CULTURE! (01:07:38)

Final Thoughts (01:15:13)

Closing (01:27:13)

Send us your feedback!

Twitter: @trekfm

Facebook: http://facebook.com/trekfm

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Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact

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Become a Trek.fm Patron on Patreon and help us keep Star Trek talk coming every week. We have great perks for you at http://patreon.com/trekfm

After a number of run-ins with the Klingons during Enterprise’s first two seasons, Captain Archer finally found himself in a place familiar to Star Trek fans: a Klingon courtroom. “Judgment” takes us back to the ice caves of Rura Penthe, but it also does more than simply repeat the events of The Undiscovered Country. It also attempts to add some depth to Klingon society.

In this episode of The Ready Room, we’re joined by Norm Lao, Will Nguyen, and Phillip Gilfus to discuss Archer’s trial, why the Klingons have it out for him, whether the use of Star Trek VI tie-ins was a clever connection or a creative crutch, and why the Klingons should be glad Mystery, Inc. didn’t make a cameo.

In our news segment we share our thoughts on Sofia Boutella’s signing to a lead role in the next Star Trek film, and we discuss the StarTrek.com poll that asked which alien race you would most want to make first contact with.

Hosts

Christopher Jones and Norman C. Lao

Guests

Phillip Gilfus and Will Nguyen

Editor and Producer

Christopher Jones

Associate Producer

Renee Roberts

Production Manager

Richard Marquez

Content Coordinator

Will Nguyen

News

Sofia Boutella signs on for lead role in Star Trek 3 (00:02:02)

Poll: The alien you want to make first contact with is… (00:14:06)

Feature: Judgment

Intro and Synopsis (00:28:32)

Kolos and the Rise of the Warrior Class (00:36:02)

Meeting Duras Again… for the First Time (00:50:57)

Communicating the Details (00:56:47)

Rura Penthe: Creative Crutch? (01:02:26)

A Clever Lampshade (01:16:14)

Archer on Trial (01:20:24)

Final Thoughts (01:28:11)

Closing (01:35:51)

Send us your feedback!

Twitter: @trekfm

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Become a Trek.fm Patron on Patreon and help us keep Star Trek talk coming every week. We have great perks for you at http://patreon.com/trekfm

Someone didn’t have their coffee this morning. And when you’re a starship captain with little faith in your first officer, you gotta have your joe. There’s never enough time to do everything that needs to be done, and keeping the ship running smoothly has left Janeway with little time to eat (but apparently time to go goth—not in the way you think).

In this episode of The Ready Room, we’re joined by Charlynn Schmiedt, Suzanne Abbott, and Phillip Gilfus to unravel the mysteries of “Persistence of Vision,” Janeway’s exhaustion and hallucinations that may be caused by a creepy alien (but may be due to problems with the holodeck… or both), why Sybok is in the Delta Quadrant, and, of course, to get down with Mrs. Templeton.

In our news segment we share our thoughts on the Latino Review article claiming that CBS is preparing to bring Star Trek back to television, Simon Pegg’s comments about the next film, and we kick off our traditional speculation on a possible villain (this time we’re sure it’s not Khan).

Hosts

Christopher Jones and Charlynn Schmiedt

Guests

Suzanne Abbott and Phillip Gilfus

Editor and Producer

Christopher Jones

Associate Producer

Renee Roberts

Production Manager

Richard Marquez

Content Coordinator

Will Nguyen

News

CBS looking to being Star Trek back to TV? (00:04:13)

Simon Pegg, Idris Elba, and Star Trek 3 (00:14:06)

Feature: Persistence of Vision

Intro and Synopsis (00:22:50)

Gothic Janeway (00:27:20)

Grumpy Janeway (00:37:31)

Lonely Janeway (00:46:26)

Tom’s Mystery Dad (00:51:16)

Voyager’s Sybok (00:55:15)

B’Ekotay (00:59:54)

Random Notes (01:04:42)

Final Thoughts (01:14:28)

Closing (01:21:47)

Send us your feedback!

Twitter: @trekfm

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Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact

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Become a Trek.fm Patron on Patreon and help us keep Star Trek talk coming every week. We have great perks for you at http://patreon.com/trekfm

Sometimes love is staring you right in the face, and other times you have to search for it. Both were the case when Grilka, Quark’s ex-wife, came aboard the Station. Smitten with the unattainable and “glorious” Klingon Lady, Worf decided to win her heart by proxy when he concocted a plan to help Quark reconnect with his lost love. To pull it off, Worf employed the help of the woman whose heart he could have, if only he’d wake up and smell the raktajino.

In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by Matthew Rushing and Will Nguyen to discuss Deep Space Nine’s foray into romantic comedy, “Looking for par’Mach In All the Wrong Places.” We explore its basis in Edmond Rostand’s Cyrano de Bergerac, the comedic timing of Michael Dorn, Terry Farrell, and Armin Shimerman, why Worf is riddled with contradictions, and, of course, the blossoming romantic tendencies of the other O’Briens.

In our news segment we discuss the Certificate of Commendation Star Trek Fan Club and Communicator founder Dan Madsen received from Colorado State Representative Paul Rosenthal, and Paramount’s upcoming release of The Wrath of Khan as a steelbook.

Hosts

Christopher Jones and Matthew Rushing

Guest

Will Nguyen

Editor and Producer

Christopher Jones

Associate Producer

Renee Roberts

Production Manager

Richard Marquez

Content Coordinator

Will Nguyen

News

Trek Legislative Caucus Honors Dan Madsen (00:04:19)

Paramount to Release Wrath of Khan Steelbook (00:12:01)

Feature: Looking for par’Mach In All the Wrong Places

Intro and Synopsis (00:19:13)

First Thoughts (00:22:10)

Playing Comedy (00:26:21)

Cyrano de Bergerac In Reverse (00:28:12)

Riddled with Contradictions (00:38:43)

The Kelp of Discontent (00:47:27)

The Other O’Briens (00:57:41)

Final Thoughts (01:09:00)

Closing (01:17:04)

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Right off the heels of Leonard Nimoy’s death came the news that another Star Trek great, Harve Bennett, had passed on as well. Bennett was the man behind Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, a film without which the majority of Star Trek would not exist. Following the mixed reception of Star Trek: The Motion Picture, the future of the franchise seemed in doubt. But thanks to his vision the second big-screen outing for Kirk and crew was a resounding success, and secured a long and fruitful life for Gene Roddenberry’s creation.

In this episode of The Ready Room, Christopher Jones and Larry Nemecek sit down for a special episode remembering Bennett and his contributions to Star Trek. Larry recounts his meetings with Harve over the years and we discuss the pivotal moments of his career both within and beyond Trek, and how, without him, TNG and everything after would not exist.

Hosts

Christopher Jones and Larry Nemecek

Editor and Producer

Christopher Jones

Associate Producer

Renee Roberts

Production Manager

Richard Marquez

Content Coordinator

Will Nguyen

Chapters

Have Bennett’s Contributions to TV and Film (00:04:33)

A Pivotal Man (00:15:15)

Confusion About the Date of Death (00:20:33)

Talking with Harve (00:30:44)

Harve Bennett and Star Trek V (00:37:37)

…And Star Treks III and IV (00:47:02)

The Academy Idea (00:52:32)

Keeping the Memory of Harve Bennett Alive (00:58:46)

Closing (01:02:04)

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They say music brings us all together, and that was certainly the case when Captain Picard met Lt. Commander Nella Darren. “Lessons” is perhaps the best glimpse we got into Picard’s emotional side—at least where relationships are concerned—during The Next Generation’s seven-year TV run. It was an attempt by the writers to tackle the subject of workplace romance, as well as the challenges and isolation faced by a captain. But did the resolution really connect with the message?

In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by Matthew Rushing and Charlynn Schmiedt to discuss Picard’s extended robe time, how one stellar cartography officer took over the entire ship—and the captain’s heart—and why Geordi’s hearing knocking in engineering. We also connect Picard’s openness here with what we see in the character during TNG’s film run, and we revel in the music and how melodies can take us back to specific places in time.

In our news segment we discuss the possibility of a new Star Trek attraction at Universal Orlando, and which character from each series would be the most fun to hand out with on the weekend.

Hosts

Christopher Jones and Matthew Rushing

Guest

Charlynn Schmiedt

Editor and Producer

Christopher Jones

Associate Producer

Renee Roberts

Production Manager

Richard Marquez

Content Coordinator

Will Nguyen

News

Is Star Trek Returning to Universal Orlando? (00:04:18)

The Most Fun Character to Hand Out With Is… (00:14:43)

Feature: Lessons

Intro and Synopsis (00:25:32)

The Captain’s Off Hours (A.K.A. Robe Time) (00:32:22)

Writing Future Relationships (00:36:21)

The Dating Captain (00:46:48)

Picard’s Continuity (00:59:28)

Falling In Love for the First Time (01:09:04)

Musical Connections in Space and Time (01:17:02)

Final Thoughts (01:19:26)

Closing (01:27:12)

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He inspired generations. As Spock, Leonard Nimoy became one of the most recognizable figures in the world, changing the lives of countless fans, the nature of pop culture, and bringing a rare creative vision and kindness to the world. In his final public statement he said “A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP.” Just three days later, on February 27, 2015, he passed away. The collective reaction from around the world has shown just how much he meant to so many. And in this special episode of The Ready Room, Christopher Jones and Larry Nemecek sit down to reflect on Leonard Nimoy’s life and career.

Hosts

Christopher Jones and Larry Nemecek

Editor and Producer

Christopher Jones

Associate Producer

Renee Roberts

Production Manager

Richard Marquez

Content Coordinator

Will Nguyen

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The third season of TOS is a divisive one for many Star Trek fans. The fight for survival behind the scenes led to shoestring budgets, sparse sets, unbalanced scripts, and—in eyes of many—questionable directions for Spock. But before this feeling really set in, Judy Burns and Chet Richards delivered a bottle show that put Spock in the command chair, at odds with Bones, and in search of Captain Kirk. What’s more, they delivered one of the franchise’s most intriguing attempts at a truly different alien in the Tholians.

In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by Larry Nemecek and Norm Lao to discuss “The Tholian Web,” the mysterious disappearance or the USS Defiant (not that one), Captain Kirk (yes that one), spacesuit design, the poor track record of Constitution-class starships not named Enterprise, Scotty’s love of drinking, and why nerve gas can sometimes save your life.

In our news segment we discuss Simon Pegg and the next Star Trek film script, and the possibility of a TNG reunion on screen.

Hosts

Christopher Jones and Larry Nemecek

Guest

Norman C. Lao

Editor and Producer

Christopher Jones

Associate Producer

Renee Roberts

Production Manager

Richard Marquez

Content Coordinator

Will Nguyen

News

Simon Pegg co-writing Star Trek 3 (00:03:07)

Could the TNG crew come back to the screen? (00:15:34)

Feature: The Tholian Web

Intro and Synopsis (00:26:53)

The Original Defiant (00:37:30)

The Roots of the Tholian Web (00:39:27)

An Enterprising Follow-up (00:49:18)

Spock In Command (00:58:41)

Super Spacesuits and Chaos (01:04:42)

Watch with Scotch (01:13:08)

Final Thoughts (01:26:39)

Closing (01:33:38)

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Fans often cite Travis Mayweather as the most underdeveloped character on Enterprise, but the episode “Horizon” sets out to change that perception with a story focusing exclusively on the Ensign, his family, and his past. It’s a good look into the character, though surprisingly comes near the end of Season Two.

In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by Tommy Kraft and Will Nguyen to discuss Travis’s trip back home, the cargo culture, and the puzzling discrepancy between the background developed for the character and what the writers actually did with over the course of the series. We also reveal in the excitement that is Movie Night aboard the NX-01 and T’Pol’s newfound love of Frankenstein.

In our news segment we discuss the latest on Tommy’s film Star Trek: Horizon and debate the results of the StarTrek.com poll in which fans picked the alien race with the best starships.

Hosts

Christopher Jones and Tommy Kraft

Guest

Will Nguyen

Editor and Producer

Christopher Jones

Associate Producer

Renee Roberts

Production Manager

Richard Marquez

Content Coordinator

Will Nguyen

News

Star Trek: Horizon Production Update (00:02:25)

Poll: The alien race with the best starships is… (00:11:59)

Feature: Horizon

Intro and Synopsis (00:22:12)

A Misplaced Story? (00:26:28)

Fleshing Out Travis (00:30:39)

Cargo Culture (00:35:01)

It’s a Family Matter (00:41:42)

The Isolation of Distance (00:48:58)

Movie Night! (00:55:57)

Travis Saves the Day! (01:06:43)

Final Thoughts (01:13:24)

Closing (01:22:36)

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How much would you pay for Federation membership? Apparently in the Delta Quadrant you can get quick approval if you’ve got enough money—or ten kilotons of bolomite. Given that Voyager was constantly leaving her influence behind as she made her way back to Earth, it’s surprising that more aliens didn’t try impersonating the crew for their own gain. We know that at least one group did, and they played the part with unwavering dedication—especially in the case of faux Tuvok.

In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by Charlynn Schmiedt and Matthew Rushing to discuss “Live Fast and Prosper,” the Dala who would be Janeway, Bizarro Chakotay, and Mobar, the alien who truly believed he was Vulcan.

In our news segment we discuss the 20th anniversary of Voyager as we remember the premiere of “Caretaker,” and debate the results of StarTrek.com’s poll about which doctor fans would most want as their own.

Hosts

Christopher Jones and Charlynn Schmiedt

Guest

Matthew Rushing

Editor and Producer

Christopher Jones

Associate Producer

Renee Roberts

Production Manager

Richard Marquez

Content Coordinator

Will Nguyen

News

Remembering 20 Years of Voyager (00:02:49)

Poll: The doctor fans would most want as their own is… (00:15:04)

Feature: Live Fast and Prosper

Intro and Synopsis (00:23:34)

Loose Lips Sink Ships (00:27:22)

Imposters! (00:32:29)

Reputation Harmed (00:42:58)

Flaws In Execution (00:51:05)

Doctor In Drag (00:58:44)

One Redeeming Thing (01:06:15)

Final Thoughts (01:13:32)

Closing (01:20:39)

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When Sisko first arrives at Bajor in “Emissary,” he learns that he is viewed by the Bajorans as a religious icon. It’s an identity he struggles with through much of the series, but eventually comes to terms with. By “Rapture” at the midpoint of Season Five, Sisko has fully embrace prophecy and matters of Bajoran faith are guiding many of his actions. The road to “Rapture” was a long one, however. The easily overlooked linchpin is the third-season episode “Destiny,” a quiet story about scientific cooperation between Cardassia, Bajor, and the Federation.

In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by John Mills and Norman Lao to discuss this short-lived thawing of relations between warring factions, the religious and political forces tugging at the process, how Trakor’s Third Prophecy is a turning point for both Kira and Sisko, how our own views and agendas color our interpretation of Deep Space Nine, and how “Destiny” plays into Sisko’s overall character arc.

In our news segment we discuss Paramount’s decision to airlock Orci, whether or not Frakes could actually take the helm, and what the various rumored directors could mean for the film and Star Trek. We also debate the results of StarTrek.com’s poll about which series made the best use of the holodeck.

Hosts

Christopher Jones and John W. Mills

Guest

Norman C. Lao

Editor and Producer

Christopher Jones

Associate Producer

Renee Roberts

Production Manager

Richard Marquez

Content Coordinator

Will Nguyen

News

Paramount dumps Orci. Could Frakes take command? (00:02:57)

Poll: The Star Trek series that made the best use of the holodeck was... (00:13:24)

Feature: Destiny

Intro and Synopsis (00:19:36)

All In on Faith (00:22:47)

Scientific Cooperation (00:25:46)

Diversity and Interpretation (00:38:06)

Testing Sisko’s Faith (00:47:51)

Agendas and Viewpoints (00:58:44)

Final Thoughts (01:05:04)

Closing (01:10:15)

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When The Next Generation launched, Gene Roddenberry and the writers wanted to make sure it had its own identity and wasn’t perceived as a rehash of The Original Series. So for the second episode, they pulled out a script written in 1967 as a planned sequel to "The Naked Time" and reworked it a bit to feature the crew of this new Galaxy Class starship. More fancy water molecules meant more life-threatening strange behavior, and a story that felt wildly familiar to the fans TNG was trying to win over.

In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by Daniel Proulx, Suzanne Abbott, and Andi VanderKolk to discuss this second take on polywater intoxication, the different ways in which the Enterprise-D crew behave, Riker’s obsession with the showering habits of the 23rd century, weepy drunks, angry drunks, Acting Captain Wesley Crusher, and much more.

In our news segment we look back at 18 years of Star Trek First Contact, find out about the final push for Marc Cushman's These Are the Voyages Volume 3, and debate which crew faced the most adversity.

Hosts

Christopher Jones and Daniel Proulx

Guests

Suzanne Abbott, and Andi VanderKolk

Editor and Producer

Christopher Jones

Associate Producer

Renee Roberts

News

Marking 18 years since First Contact (00:02:59)

Poll: The crew that faced the most adversity was... (00:22:19)

Support Marc Cushman's These Are the Voyages, Volume 3 (00:32:27)

Feature: The Naked Time

Intro and Synopsis (00:43:34)

A Second Dose of Polywater (00:50:45)

Android Love and Fashion: Writing Yar (00:59:59)

Horny Doctor (01:05:45)

Confused Counselor (01:08:52)

Riker’s Leggy Playground (01:13:21)

Weepy Drunk, Angry Drunk (01:18:34)

If You Prick Him, Does He Not Leak? (01:27:47)

Acting Captain Wesley Crusher (01:33:39)

Nekkid Remastering (01:37:01)

Closing (01:45:06)

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The Next Generation went out of its way to avoid connections with The Original Series, but one thing they have in common is crew members getting drunk on water. TNG fans know it as the Psi-2000 virus, but in Kirk’s day it was just good ole polywater. Thanks to highly questionable environmental suit design and procedures that would make the CDC cringe, the crew of the Enterprise fell victim to some fancy water molecules that almost killed them. Potential cause of death? Strange behavior.

In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by John Mills, Drew Stewart, and Norm Lao to discuss newly introduced characters acting out of character, crying Vulcans, and why there’s always room for time travel. We also explain how to deal with shrinkage and space madness, and we do it all whilst singing a rousing rendition of “I’ll Take You Home Again, Kathleen.”

In our news segment we discuss Paramount's plans for a resort in London, Kate Mulgrew's upcoming memoir Born with Teeth, and look back at 20 years of Star Trek Generations.

Hosts

Christopher Jones and John W. Mills

Guests

Drew Stewart and Norman C. Lao

Editor and Producer

Christopher Jones

Associate Producer

Renee Roberts

News

Looking back at 20 years of Star Trek Generations (00:02:44)

Paramount plans to open London resort with Star Trek (00:22:33)

Kate Mulgrew to release memoir in 2015 (00:32:08)

Feature: The Naked Time

Intro and Synopsis (00:36:10)

Initial Thoughts (00:41:41)

Vulcan’s Don’t Cry (00:46:02)

Space Madness! (00:58:15)

Dealing with Shrinkage (01:04:40)

There’s Always Room for Time Travel (01:10:08)

Final Thoughts (01:25:10)

Closing (01:30:05)

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When we see injustices, it's natural for us to want to change them. But when those injustices involve an alien culture, is it really fair for us to impose our human views on others? This was one of the biggest challenges for early explorers and comes into play when Trip encounters a situation that seems very wrong to him, but is perfectly normal, accepted, and in fact critical to the Vissians. Despite good intentions, his actions to right a perceived wrong have devastating consequences.

In this episode of The Ready Room, we’re joined by Daniel Proulx and Matthew Rushing to discuss “Cogenitor,” the idea of a species that requires three genders to reproduce, the reasons why the Vissians may oppress the cogenitors, the repercussions of Trip’s actions, and, of course, the sensual cheese eating habits of Malcolm Reed.

In our news segment we find out how Wesley Crusher's amazing technicolor sweater can keep you warm this winter, which senior officer post fans most want to fill, and how you can design an actual Enterprise that will orbit the Earth.

Hosts

Christopher Jones and Daniel Proulx

Guest

Matthew Rushing

Editor and Producer

Christopher Jones

Associate Producer

Renee Roberts

News

Wesley Crusher technicolor sweater now available! (2:35)

Poll: The senior officer position most fans want to hold is… (13:46)

Help Enterprise In Space design the NSS Enterprise orbiter (21:58)

Feature: Cogenitor

Intro and Synopsis (27:04)

The Birds and the Bees… and the Ants? Tri-Gendered Reproduction (32:18)

Oppression for the Greater Good? (42:43)

Cultural Differences and Self Control (1:01:43)

The Sensual Cheese Eating Habits of One Malcolm Reed (1:13:48)

Don’t Think About the Language (1:16:17)

Repercussions and Lessons Learned (1:20:14)

Final Thoughts (1:24:35)

Closing (1:28:57)

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Have you ever felt that Star Trek episodes are a bit too talky? A bit too “high and mighty”? Ever wish you could have a dash of Rambo with your Star Trek? Well, Brannon Braga thought so and thus sent Janeway—ripped biceps, tank top, and all—to save the crew from a giant bug infestation in the third-season episode “Macrocosm.”

In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by Phillip Gilfus, Charlynn Schmiedt, and Suzanne Abbott to discuss the germ-filled episode, how well it succeeds in achieving Braga’s goals, its role as CGI testbed for later Voyager, the space podcasting of Neelix, and the origins of the Tak Tak language. If you listen long enough, you may even find out about the Tak Tak version of William Shatner.

In our news segment, we find out what Ensign Williams needs in order to record her second set of Red Shirt Diaries, debate which Enterprise would be the best to captain, and take a moment to reflect on the recent tragedy involving Virgin Galactic.

Hosts

Christopher Jones and Phillip Gilfus

Guests

Charlynn Schmiedt and Suzanne Abbott

Editor and Producer

Christopher Jones

Associate Producer

Renee Roberts

News

Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo crashes during test flight (3:39)

Help make The Red Shirt Diaries Season Two a reality (9:49)

Poll: Which Enterprise would you choose to captain? (17:41)

Feature: Macrocosm

Intro and Synopsis (26:38)

The Language of the Tak Tak (30:26)

Neelix: Space Podcaster (38:02)

Getting Gooed On (40:15)

Looking for Some Action (43:51)

Too Much Rambo? (52:48)

CGI Test Run (58:29)

Footloose and Fancy Free (1:04:29)

Ambassador Neelix (1:10:22)

Vibrating Chakotay (1:13:23)

The Doctor Needs Directions? (1:15:42)

Final Thoughts (1:20:24)

Closing (1:27:55)

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Star Trek fans often question Sisko’s methods. As Starfleet captains go—at least those we saw as leads—Sisko is perhaps the least likely to do things “by the book.” One act that is cited most often is Sisko’s decision to bring the Romulans into the Dominion War, the deceptions he concocted together with Garak, and the fact that, in the end, he was okay with it. “In the Pale Moonlight” is frequently praised as one of the best episodes of not only DS9 but of Star Trek, yet there are also those who see it as a betrayal of Gene Roddenberry’s vision of the future.

In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by Matthew Rushing, Jeremy Reed, and Jaime Sanchez to discuss “In the Pale Moonlight,” why it remains one of Star Trek’s most controversial yet satisfying moments, and why real life sometimes pushes people to compromise their own values for the greater good.

In our news segment, we discuss the future implications of CBS All Access for Star Trek, find out what’s waiting for you in Larry Nemecek’s Trekland Trunk, explain how you can help get Star Trek creatives on the panels for Destination Star Trek London 2016, and help you create a night of spooky Treks for Halloween.

First introduced in “Journey to Babel,” Sarek of Vulcan is one of the best known characters from The Original Series, perhaps due primarily to his role in The Search for Spock and subsequent TOS films. Following McCoy’s cameo in “Encounter at Farpoint,” it took a while for familiar faces from Star Trek's past to return to the screen. Finally, in the TNG's third season, the wall between past and present began to come down as Spock's father came aboard Picard's Enterprise. Seeing Sarek shed tears at a musical performance and lose control of his emotions was a major advancement in making Vulcans more than just "logical," but making this happen wasn't as straightforward as one would think.

In this episode of The Ready Room, we're joined by Matthew Rushing, Larry Nemecek, and John Champion to discuss the episode "Sarek," how the evolution of the story showed continuing reservations on the part of Gene Roddenberry about connecting TOS and TNG even near the end of TNG's third season, as well as Sarek's place within the Star Trek universe and the battle to speak Spock's name on screen.

In our news segment, we debate which series deserved an additional season, io9's list of the Top 100 episodes, and play with Larami's classic Star Trek: The Motion Picture tie-in toys from 1979.

Hosts

Christopher Jones and Matthew Rushing

Guests

Larry Nemecek and John Champion

Editor and Producer

Christopher Jones

Associate Producer

Renee Roberts

News

Looking back at Larami Star Trek: The Motion Picture Tie-ins (3:02)

Poll: Which Star Trek series deserved another season? (11:51)

io9's list of the Top 100 Star Trek episodes (28:56)

Sponsor: Audible (37:46)

Feature: Sarek

Intro and Synopsis (41:24)

Sarek's Place in Star Trek (44:20)

Bring Sarek to The Next Generation (52:39)

Evolving Vulcans, Shedding Light on Emotion (1:16:30)

Slapping John Champion Crusher (1:29:12)

Spock Is Voldemort (1:33:42)

Final Thoughts (1:42:34)

Closing (1:50:11)

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Many TV series have Halloween specials, but Star Trek is NOT one of them. Of course, it isn’t like they didn’t try. The Original Series did its part; the later series just didn’t follow suit. On October 27, 1967, Kirk, Spock, and Bones got quite a fright with the airing of “Catspaw.” It was the first episode produced for Season Two, yet was held until the week of Halloween.

In this episode of The Ready Room we're joined by Charlynn Schmiedt, Drew Stewart, and Jennie Zell to discuss the concept of a Star Trek Halloween episode, haunted house aliens Korob and Sylvia, sympathetic magic, dungeons, cats, and, of course, Chekov's hair.

In our news segment we break down the results of StarTrek.com's Captains vs. Zombies poll, check out some spiffy new LCARS wallpaper for iPhone, and tour the country to find out which state has the most Star Trek fans.

Hosts

Christopher Jones and Charlynn Schmiedt

Guests

Drew Stewart and Jennie Zell

Editor and Producer

Christopher Jones

Associate Producer

Renee Roberts

News

Star Trek Captains vs. Zombies (3:53)

New LCARS wallpaper for your iPhone 6 and 6 Plus (10:59)

The States with the most Star Trek fans (18:13)

Sponsor: Audible (26:33)

Feature: Catspaw

Intro and Synopsis (29:20)

Halloween in Space (40:30)

Have You Met Chekov's Hair? (48:10)

Meet the Koroborator (54:41)

Sylvia [Actual Chapter Title Redacted] (1:07:15)

Sympathetic Magic and Other Oddities (1:16:12)

Final Thoughts (1:22:30)

Closing (1:31:49)

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As one of the Starfleet's earliest explorers, James T. Kirk gained a reputation for finding an alien love interest on every world he visited. A century earlier, in Kirk-like fashion, Trip Tucker found himself in a situation that could have easily taken place on The Original Series as he rescued a princess. It's Sleeping Beauty with a twist—and a dash of Han and Leia—packaged with a strip of jerkey and a swamp swim. "Precious Cargo" is an episode that the creators considered so bad that Brannon Braga reportedly begged Rick Berman not to air it. Is it really that terrible?

In this episode of The Ready Room we're joined by Matthew Rushing, Charlynn Schmiedt, and John Mills to discuss this story that takes inspiration and connections from not only TOS but from TNG as well. With a princess telling Trip "you're my only hope" (seriously), Archer and T'Pol playing Good Cop/Bad Cop, and the ship from Pigs In Space, there's so much fun to explore that we're left scratching our heads in light of the creators' scorn.

In our news segment we find out about the Smithsonian's Enterprise move, Orci shunning the Power Rangers to focus on Star Trek, and a look at what's coming up at Destination Star Trek London.

Hosts

Christopher Jones and Matthew Rushing

Guests

Charlynn Schmiedt and John Mills

Editor and Producer

Christopher Jones

Associate Producer

Renee Roberts

News

The Smithsonian starts its Enterprise move (3:54)

Orci shuns the Power Rangers to focus on Star Trek (8:28)

Destination Star Trek London (14:00)

Support Trek.fm on Patreon (20:25)

Sponsor: Audible (21:57)

Feature: Precious Cargo

Intro and Synopsis (24:50)

Please Don't Air This Crap! Signed, the Creators (28:22)

Why Matthew Loves Precious Cargo: A Theory (34:14)

A TOS Feel (35:59)

The Evolution of Human Naivity (41:02)

I'm King of the Swamp! (48:43)

Acting Princess (54:28)

Trip's Influence on Kaitaama (1:03:23)

Good Cop, Bad Cop (1:12:53)

A Missed Opportunity to Revisit? (1:20:59)

Final Thoughts (1:24:56)

Closing (1:33:02)

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Reginald Barclay is a fan favorite from The Next Generation despite appearing in only five episodes. But did you realize he appeared in more episodes of Voyagerthan TNG? It took the writers a long while to bring Reg back after his appearance in the second-season episode “Projections,” but once they did he played a key role in getting Voyager home starting with “Pathfinder” in Season Six.

In this episode of The Ready Room we're joined by Charlynn Schmiedt, Suzanne Abbott, and Jaime Sanchez to discuss Barclay's counseling session with Deanna Troi, his status as top dog of coolness amongst the holographic Voyager crew, what the episode says about those with addictions, and whether or not there should have been more stories throughout the series about Starfleet's search for the missing ship.

In our news segment we look at Rittenhouse Archives' new alien trading cards series, imagine which card series would reel us in, find out what Starship Farraguthas in store for fans, and get an inside scoop on the prospects for DS9 Blu-rays viaThe Digital Bits.

Hosts

Christopher Jones and Charlynn Schmiedt

Guests

Suzanne Abbott and Jaime Sanchez

Editor and Producer

Christopher Jones

Associate Producer

Renee Roberts

News

Rittenhouse Archives unveils new alien trading cards (2:40)

The Digital Bits fields DS9 Blu-ray question (9:45)

Starship Farragut launches Kickstarter for "The Crossing" (15:58)

Join our discussion in The Babel Conference (20:25)

Support Trek.fm through Patreon (25:02)

Sponsor: Audible (27:15)

Feature: Pathfinder

Intro and Synopsis (30:09)

Initial Thoughts (37:02)

Reg and Deanna, Welcome Back (45:56)

Crossing the Boundaries of TOS and TNG (53:33)

Starfleet Remembers Voyager! (56:48)

Commentary on Holo-addiction (1:04:58)

Over the Top or Just Right? (1:17:23)

Final Thoughts (1:20:20)

Closing and Feedback (1:27:52)

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When a transporter accident turned William Thomas into two separate people, it did more than just get Troi all excited about the prospect of two Rikers. It also set up a great crossover opportunity for TNG and DS9. Once The Next Generation had left the air and Deep Space Nine was in its third season, bringing Jonathan Frakes to the Station made perfect sense. But this was better than a cameo. “Defiant” played off of a unique event from Star Trek’s past to create an episode that added to the story.

In this episode of The Ready Room we're joined by Matthew Rushing, Daniel Proulx, and Eric Brasure to discuss Thomas Riker's visit to DS9, his role in the Maquis, whether or not the writers missed an opportunity by not following up on this story, and we try to figure out why Kira is objects to everything except Riker's seductive glance.

In our news segment we discuss the conclusion to the TNG remastered project, the "All Good Things" Blu-ray, Gates McFadden's unique fundraiser for her next theatrical production, and we welcome Mission Log: A Roddenberry Star Trek Podcast to the network.

We’ve all asked ourselves, at least once, if the crew of the Enterprise-D has a grasp of the fundamentals. And, of course, the best way to find out would be to travel to the year 2368 and observe them first hand. That’s what Professor Berlinghoff Rasmussen did in the fifth-season episode “A Matter of Time,” where the "inventor" from 22nd-century New Jersey with a 26th-century time ship posed as a historian observing Picard's mission to Penthara IV.

In this episode of The Ready Room we're joined by Sebastian Prooth, Andi VanderKolk, and Daniel Handlin to discuss Matt Frewer's guest appearance on TNG as well as what the episode might have been like had the role been played by the actor it was originally written for, Robin Williams. We also explore the dilemma faced by Picard with the possibility of advance knowledge at hand, the concept of using time travel for historical research, and finally figure out who Future Guy from Enterprise really is.

In our news segment we talk about the premiere of The Red Shirt Diaries, explain how you can help get the USS Titan into the Official Starships Collection, and debate which captain was best under pressure.

One of the most famous aliens in Star Trek is the Orion slave girl, and the most classic “green” moment comes from “The Cage,” compliments of Susan Oliver. The prolific star is best known to Star Trek fans for this role, yet her appearance in Star Trek is but a speck on the landscape of her career as an actress and director. In this episode of The Ready Room we take a break from our usual format as we're joined by Larry Nemecek and writer/director George Pappy to talk about his new documentary The Green Girl, which chronicles the life of Susan Oliver, her film and television work, attempts to break the glass ceiling for female directors, and more.

In our news segment we get a first-hand recap of the Geek Nation Tours trek to Las Vegas, discuss how recent awards and campaigns for Star Trek Continues and Star Trek: Axanar highlight the growing fan desire for new Trek, and assess the prospects for the remastering of Deep Space Nine and Voyager in light of some recent panels and interviews with those who might spearheads the projects.

The cloaking device is one of the most powerful strategic technologies in Star Trek, coveted by the Federation even in 24th century. So when the little space birds started tweeting about the Romulans having one, Kirk and Spock had no choice but to stage an elaborate play in order to get their hands on it. It came to be known as "The Enterprise Incident," and introduced a number of elements that would be revisited time and again throughout Star Trek.

In this episode of The Ready Room we're joined by John Mills, Drew Stewart, and Jaime Sanchez to talk about Kirk and Spock's convoluted—and somewhat sensual—mission to steal a cloaking device, William Shatner's take on Romulans, why Joanne Linville should get more credit, and we reveal the true story behind the Romulan use of Klingon ship designs.

In our news segment we debate the results of StarTrek.com's Mirror Universe poll, field listener Gene Russell's Question from the Fleet about pilot episodes and title sequences, and remember Arlene Martel, who portrayed T'Pring in one of the most famous Star Trek episode ever "Amok Time."

In the vast majority of Star Trek episodes we know that our crews are being guided by Starfleet General Order One, or the Prime Directive. It’s Starfleet’s highest law and a framework for interactive with alien cultures. Captain Archer had no such directive to guide his actions, and the need for one became very obvious when a request for medical assistance led the NX-01 to the planet Valakis and an encounter with two sentient humanoid species sharing an unusual symbiotic relationship.

In this episode of The Ready Room we're joined by Tommy Kraft, Sebastian Prooth, and Eric Brasure to discuss the ethical dilemmas faced by Archer and Phlox, cultural understanding, when it is and isn't appropriate to "play God," the need for the Prime Directive, and why we miss Kellie Waymire.

In our news segment we discuss the idea of a Captain Worf television series now that a new video interview with Michael Dorn has surfaced, William Shatner's new documentary about the making of The Next Generation, Chaos On the Bridge, and thoughts on the DS9 finale from those who created it.

Over the years Starfleet crews have faced off against a dizzying array of opponents. Mainstream baddies like Klingons, Romulans, and Borg are formidable but straightforward. Technical glitches like holodeck malfunctions or sentient silicon are also fairly routine. But what happens when your opponent isn’t something tangible but rather an emotion? We’ve gone on yellow alert against out own imaginations, but when the personification of Fear comes around it’s not quite so easy to just stop thinking about it. As the Clown said, when your only reality is an illusion, then illusion is reality.

In this episode of The Ready Room we're joined by Megan Calcote of Educating Geeks, Miles McLoughlin of The Scifi Diner, and Charlynn Schmiedt of To The Journey to discuss Voyager's encounter with Fear in the second-season episode "The Thaw," the mixed fan reception this episode has gotten over the years, the unique nature of the story and the visuals—including the Marvin Rush's inspiration as the director—the importance of having a hologram around, and how fear can both benefit and cripple us under different circumstances.

In our news segment we share our thoughts on the ten best Klingons as selected at One Trek Mind Live at Star Trek Las Vegas, recap convention cosplay, and discuss Brannon Braga's thoughts on Seven of Nine and her role on Voyager.

Aliens appearing onboard a starship or space station is nothing new to Star Trek. But normally you expect to see a menace like Klingons, the Borg, or a woman in go-go boots and a bling belt—none of whom can spin straw into gold. As Terry J. Erdmann said in the DS9 Companion, “If Wishes Were Horses” could have been just another “mysterious-aliens-play-head-games-with-the-Star Trek-crew” story. Instead it morphed into a delightfully whimsical episode. Or did it?

In this episode of The Ready Room we're joined by Megan Calcote, Von Glitschka, and John Mills to discuss the power of imagination, the demise of baseball, the challenges of working with space emus, the fantasy life of Julian Bashir, and, of course, Rumpelstiltskin.

In our news segment we share our thoughts on The Primate Directive, which is IDW's crossover between Star Trek and Planet of the Apes, comments by Benedict Cumberbatch and Zachary Quinto about Khan possibly appearing in the next film, and we discuss the results of StarTrek.com's poll that asked fans to choose the saddest death scene in Star Trek.

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News

IDW's The Primate Directive combines Star Trek and Planet of the Apes (2:07)

Few creators get a second change to explore their original vision. Gene Roddenberry got such a chance with The Next Generation twenty-one years after the original Star Trek first aired. TNG’s pilot "Encounter at Farpoint" is a restatement of Gene's utopian ideas, which are challenged by Q. But, of course, these ideas evolved a bit over the course of two decades.

In this episode of The Ready Room we're joined by John Champion and Ken Ray of Mission Log: A Roddenberry Star Trek Podcast, who are preparing to launch into TNG on their show. We talk about the transition from TOS to TNG as a platform for Gene's message, impressions of the new ship and crew, twenty-fourth-century technology, meeting Q for the first time, "Encounter at Farpoint," and more.

In our news segment we look at Star Trek events at San Diego Comic-Con, discuss the real status of Roberto Orci as director of the next film, and reveal our picks for the best engineering set.

When the the Original Series cast set foot on the big screen, it was a dream come true for a generation of fans who had supported the short-lived show through the dark 1970s. For fans of The Next Generation, however, the experience was quite different. As soon as the final episode wrapped, the cast jumped right into shooting their first movie. The result was a film that felt more like the next TV episode than a major motion picture. Or did it?

In this episode of The Ready Room we're joined by Phillip Gilfus and Daniel Proulx of Earl Grey to pit the four Next Generation films against one another. We cover the good and the bad of each and discuss whether more time between the television series and the movies would have changed fan perception of these four stories.

In our news segment we discuss the controversy surrounding the sixth-season TNG episode "Timescape" and an uncorrected VFX mistake, Dayton Ward's selection of ten Star Trek episodes that could work as stage plays, and the launch of Star Trek: Axanar's official podcast, which will chronicle the production of the independent film through discussions with the cast and crew.

News

Mike and Denise Okuda speak out on the "Timescape" VFX controversy (3:02)

Star Trek: Axanar teams of with Trek.fm for its official podcast (9:23)

Dayton Ward's Star Trek episodes that could work as stage plays (14:06)

According to Elaine Benes, Tolstoy once said “War, what is it good for?” And while she may have been wrong about the source, apparently Kirk shared the sentiment. When the Enterprise was dispatched to establish diplomatic relations with a planet that apparently wanted no part of the Federation, Kirk and his crew found themselves casualties of a war fought through computers. The damage-free conflict—if you don’t count the deaths from willing disintegration—didn’t sit right with Kirk, and so he took the future of two worlds into his own hands by forcing them into choosing between full conflict or reconciliation. The outcome remains unknown.

In this episode of The Ready Room we're joined by Charlynn Schmiedt, Drew Stewart, and Eric Brasure to discuss "A Taste of Armageddon," the antisceptic nature of the war between Eminiar VII and Vendikar, whether civilization is worth saving if the people no longer see the value of life, and debate if Kirk has the right to make the decision for an alien society. We also discuss Vulcan wall-telepathy, the new Eminiar line at Uniqlo, and uncover the real origins of General Order 24.

In our news segment, we discuss Robert Picardo's newly available house, TMZ accosting Brannon Braga to get the answer to a question the rest of us left behind in 1991, and take a behind the scenes look at Star Trek Continues with the help of Condé Nast Entertainment and WIRED.

At the end of “A Piece of the Action,” Doctor McCoy reveals that he left his communicator behind in Oxmyx’s office. It’s essentially laughed off and the NCC-1701 continues on to its encounter with a giant space amoeba. Kirk says that, with that kind of technology, the Iotians might one day want a piece of the Federation’s action. But what might be the actual repercussions of such an accident? This is the question that Enterprise tries to answer in the second-season episode “The Communicator.” Like McCoy, Reed returns to the ship minus his gadget—only this time it isn’t brushed aside.

In this episode of The Ready Room we're joined by Mathieu Blondin and Sebastian Prooth to discuss Reed's little mistake, the consequences for him and Archer, the potential impact it had on an alien society, and whether or not Starfleet should be going undercover to mingle amongst the inhabitants of other worlds in the 22nd century (or at all). We also discuss "The Communicator" as an important episode on the road to the Prime Directive.

In our news segment we learn about the March 2015 release of TNG Season 8—in book form, discuss what we want to see in the next Star Trek film compared to a recent article on io9, and in Questions from the Fleet we delve into how best to grow the Star Trek franchise by looking at how marketing and merchandising has been handled over the years.

When Voyager premiered, it seemed a given that the fan-favorite Q would turn up on the series. But the producers were cautious in using John de Lancie’s character yet again. As loved as Q was, he always ran the risk of being a one-verse song played over and over—a danger highlighted by his single appearance on Deep Space Nine. The door to Q’s return was finally opened by an unexpected hand, that of Michael Piller’s son, Shawn. Having overheard his dad pondering the problem, he began pitching the idea that became “Death Wish.” And from this idea grew one of the most poignant Q episodes in all of Star Trek.

In this episode of The Ready Room we're joined by Charlynn Schmiedt, Suzanne Abbott, and Scott Hertzog of The SciFi Diner to discuss how Q's character grew through this story that tackles some very difficult and divisive issues, including assisted suicide, treatment of prisoners, and the rights of individuals versus the good of society.

In our news segment we take a look at Cross Cult's new covers for Kirsten Beyer's Full Circle and Unworthy, discuss how Data may have gotten his Federation citizenship (as described by "The Measure of a Man" writer Melinda Snodgrass), and ponder a proposed perfect RetKHAN to Star Trek Into Darkness.

When we visited Deep Space 9 for the very first time, Picard made it clear to Sisko that his mission was to do everything, short of violating the Prime Directive, to prepare Bajor for admission into the Federation. It took five seasons, but finally Bajor's petition was approved and the ceremony was set to take place—at least until the Emissary began having visions. After becoming obsessed with ancient Bajoran symbols, Captain Sisko found the lengendary city of B'hala, lost for 20 millennia, in a matter of days. Along the way he saw past, present, and future as one, drew the ire of Starfleet, and stopped Bajor from signing on the dotted line.

In this episode of The Ready Room we're joined by John Mills, Alice Baker, and Daniel Handlin to discuss the fifth-season episode "Rapture," Sisko's gradual acceptance of his role in the Bajoran religion, Starfleet's discomfort with having a captain walk amongst an alien society as a god, get a rare glimpse into a not (fully) evil Kai Winn, and ponder why admirals can't act.

In our news segment we take a look a NASA's warp ship design concept, the IXS Enterprise, visit the Mirror Universe with Star Trek Continues, and explore the Enterprise-D 8 bits at a time.

When you think about how long-lived Star Trek is, it’s incredible to think that the storytelling moment that has been nearly impossible to top came 24 years ago. “The Best of Both Worlds” was so big, so bold, so impactful that the writers shied away from returning to the story's villain, the Borg, because, well, where do you go from there? Two seasons later they finally hit on an approach that could bring back the Borg in a unique way that did not require trying to top the famous cliffhanger.

In this episode of The Ready Room we're joined by Charlynn Schmiedt, Daniel Proulx, and Tyler Johnson to discuss the story that was born during a writers' retreat in 1991. The concept became “I, Borg,” and for such a quiet story it had lasting repercussions on the future of Star Trek. We discuss the dilemma faced by the Enterprise crew, whether or not the story defangs the Borg, Beverly's seeming naivity, Geordi's way with machines, whether or not it and "The Best of Both Worlds" violate canon, and how First Contact Picard can be seen in this episode.

In our new segment we find out what kind of parade Shatner will be leading in Canada, how he and Kate Mulgrew love to jab each other at conventions, and what happens on a starship bridge when you stabilize it.

If you ask fans of The Original Series to name their favorite episodes, invariably “The Doomsday Machine” comes up. Even James Doohan named the episode his favorite of the series. In 1968, “The Doomsday Machine” received a Hugo Award nomination for Best Dramatic Presentation; but not all are in love with the story. D.C. Fontana named the episode her least favorite of the series, and the story's author, Norman Spinrad, has expressed disappointment with its translation to screen. Neverthless, "The Doomsday Machine" remains one of the essential hours of TOS.

In this episode of The Ready Room we're joined by Daniel Handlin, Drew Stewart, and Suzanne Abbott to find out where we stand on this story of a captain (well… a commodore) destroyed by the loss of his crew, the Moby-Dick allegory, the social message that H-Bombs are bad, the origins of the planet killer itself, and our thoughts on the remastered version of the episode.

In our news segment we learn about Five Year Mission's Las Vegas adventure, get technical with some advancements in the field of tractor beams and their possible applications, and look back at Star Trek III: The Search for Spock on the film's 30th anniversary.

Star Trek has presented us with more aliens that we can count. But most of these have been humanoid. Even the exceptions—Tholians, Excalbians, even Species 8472—are still easy for us to imagine being real… somewhere out there. In the first-season Enterprise episode “Vox Sola,” the writers and creative team attempted to give us, as Brannon Braga put it, “a wildly alien alien.” The title of this episode is Latin for “lone voice,” and is one of just seven episodes with Latin names—and possibly the best.

In this episode of The Ready Room we're joined by Phillip Gilfus, Tommy Kraft, and Suzanne Abbott to discuss just how unique this story is within Star Trek, how difficult it is to present truly alien life, the production challenges of turning plastic wrap into a villain, as well as the technology sneak peeks and ethically building blocks of this early mission of the NX-01.

In our news segment we reflect on the 20th anniversary of the TNG finale, "All Good Things…", some unique ships coming to The Official Starships Collection—including the 22nd-century Romulan Bird-of-Prey and the Krenim timeship from Voyager's "Year of Hell," and the big plans that are afoot over at Star Trek: Phase II.

One of the most momentous conflicts in Federation history is also one of the most mysterious ones—at least for fandom. Of course Starfleet itself knows what happened, but the writers didn't give us a lot to work with over the years. First introduced in the Original Series episode "Balance of Terror," the Earth-Romulan War is the basis for centuries of animosity between these two powers. The details remained elusive and over the years bits and pieces came out through the various spinoff series, books, comics, and fan projects.

In this episode of The Ready Room we're joined by Larry Nemecek, Alec Peters, and Tommy Kraft to discuss this legendary war, its origins, the conflict, the aftermath, and how it has been retconned over time.

In our news segment we learn about Star Trek: The Exhibition's arrival at Mall of America, the fan art that became an actual book series in Star Trek Seekers, how you can share some Romulan Ale with Larry, Roberto Orci's bid to direct the next film, and Teras Cassidy pops in for a Geek Nation Tours update.

Jeri Taylor wrote the book on Janeway. Literally. Two of them in fact! So it was no surprise that a third-season story about Janeway's death came from her pen. "Coda" pulls together a number of familiar Star Trek themes to explore issues of death, how it affects both the survivors and the deceased, and even throws in a Dying Swan for good measure. In this episode of The Ready Room we're joined by Charlynn Schmiedt, Tristan Riddell, and Suzanne Abbott to discuss Janeway's brush with death, Chakotay's outpouring of emotion, what Jeri Taylor brings to Janeway that other writers can't, and whether or not this mishmash of ideas comes together to create a satisfying whole.

In our news segments we find out where the next Destination Star Trek with land, take a peek at Patrick Stewart's new TV series, learn about the latest honor for William Shatner—this time from NASA—and find out what decision almost made in 1966 could have changed the course of Star Trek.

War changes people. And that’s no different whether you're in the 21st century or the 24th. Just before DS9 kicked into high gear for its final season, our crew took a quiet moment to reflect in “The Sound of Her Voice,” the penultimate episode of Season Six. It's a unique take on a bottle show that reveals a great deal about the station's crew. In this episode of The Ready Room we're joined by Matthew Rushing, Michael Fisher, and Von Glitshka to discuss the hours spent by the Defiant crew talking to Captain Lisa Cusack, what the conversations tell us about how life changes and the struggle to move on, and the twist of time that allows our heroes to step back—at least for a moment— to a place where the Dominion War had yet to shatter the peace.

In our news segment we look at the pros and cons of Roberto Orci's bid to direct Star Trek 2016, head into fluidic space or Star Trek Online's ninth season, wrap up Enterprise's Blu-ray release, and find out about the independent film Star Trek: Horizon, which is set in the Enterprise time period and tells the story of the Romulan War.

Life and death situations and small talk go together like Picard and Earl Grey, Troi and chocolate, or Geordi and PowerPoint presentations. Right? Well, they do in “Starship Mine,” a sixth season TNG episode that features a never-before-heard-of particle, a horse saddle, and possibly the most annoying commander in Starfleet. But "Starship Mine" is much more than a bad party with The Hutch. It's also Die Hard in Space.

In this episode of The Ready Room we're joined by Darren Moser, Mike Schindler, and Max Hegel to discuss Morgan Gendel's second TNG outing, how it uses the Die Hard framework without imitating it, the difference between trilithium and trilithium resin (hint: there may not be any), and why it may be a better episode than Gendel's more famous episode "The Inner Light."

In our news segment, we read a letter from one Captain James T. Kirk to a Captain James Kirk in the US Navy, find out what award the Boston chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences has for Leonard Nimoy, Oculus Rift's virtual trip to the USS Voyager bridge, and colliding timelines that combine Q and Guinan with the Abramsverse.

The date is October 26, 1881. The place is Tombstone, Arizona. It’s the day of the gunfight at the O.K. Corral. So what are Kirk and his crew doing here? Well, Chekov is here to hit on the ladies. That much is clear. But what about the others? It wasn't unusual for the Enterprise crew to visit locales that looked a lot like Earth. Usually the buildings in those places had four walls. But when budgets are thin you spread around the limited walls you have, and if you're creative you find a way to make it work in your favor. Such was the case in "Spectre of the Gun," a Western set in space at a time when Earth-bound Westerns were standard programming.

In this episode of The Ready Room we're joined by Daniel Proulx, Drew Stewart, and Mariel Keeran to discuss TOS's trip to the wild, wild West, whether it's a remarkable exploration of the workings of the mind, or just an average chapter in a series trying to tell stories with limited resources. We also explore whether this was a prelude to holodeck malfunctions, why Chekov can't keep his hands to himself, and find out why sublimated snake venom might be better than scotch. In our news segment we check out the new home at the Smithsonian for the original the Enterprise shooting model, spot starships landing in Japan, dicuss the upcoming changes to StarTrek.com—which include closing down the discussion boards—and learn more about Star Trek Timelines, a new strategy game heading for your mobile device.

In 2001, Star Trek landed with great fanfare in a cornfield in Oklahoma. It was the launch of Enterprise, as the series was known for its first two seasons, and the pilot episode, "Broken Bow," was well received. Over the years, perceptions of the series have changed more than once. The story of "Broken Bow" and Enterprise is one of creative change, great promises mixed with missed opportunities, and a tug-o-war between studio and network.

In this episode of The Ready Room we're joined by Matt Miller, Jose Munoz, and Oklahoma native Larry Nemecek to discuss story elements of "Broken Bow" and go behind the scenes to learn about the activities surrounding the pilot episode and the creation of the series.

In our news segment we take a look at the full details of the TNG Season Six and "Chain of Command" Blu-ray extras, new faces added to Star Trek Las Vegas, some advice from Wil Wheaton to a young Star Trek fan being bullied in school, and some exciting news about Trek.fm and iTunes.

Aliens performing experiments on the crew without their knowledge is nothing new for Star Trek. The Next Generation did it to very creepy effect in “Schisms.” Enterprise also did it—in a somewhat different way—in “Observer Effect.” But Voyager delivered perhaps the most entertaining lab rats-in-space story in the Season Four episode “Scientific Method.”

In this episode of The Ready Room we're joined by Charlynn Schmiedt, Phillip Gilfus, and Daniel Proulx to talk about Tom and B’Elanna getting busy in engineering, Seven and the Doctor wearing tights, a potential Chakotay-Neelix spinoff, Janeway channeling Sisko, and, for some reason, Muppet fanfic.

In our news segment we take a look at a theatrical run for Shatner's World, Leonard Nimoy and the Boston Pops, QMx's salvaging of the Voyager commbadge, and StarTrek.com's interview with Susan Gibney—the Almost-Janeway.

On a Federation starship, you pretty much know what to expect from your surroundings. But what happens when you move into a Cardassian-built ore processing facility? One of the fascinating aspects of Deep Space Nine was the idea that our characters were living in borrowed space. They could never be sure what they might find in the bowels of the Station—or the computer. They found themselves in a dire situation in "Civil Defense" when a dormant computer file triggered a counter-insurgency program installed by the Cardassians during the Occupation. Suddenly their lives were at risk—and the clock was ticking.

In this episode of The Ready Room we're joined by Michael Fisher and John Mills to discuss "Civil Defense," which was born of the desire to slip a straight action story into the middle of DS9's drama. We discuss the mysteries of the Station, the production challenges of the episode, character developments for Dukat and Garak, and debate whether there was any way out of an unsatisfying ending.

In our news segment we check in on two interviews with new Star Trek film writer J.D. Payne, CommBadge's second run at funding, Star Trek Online's arrival on Mac, and an STO Mirror Universe event. Plus, we learn about the starship accessibility requirements of Targ Starfleet officers.

One of the stated missions of the Enterprise is to seek out new forms of life, and over the course of seven years Picard and his crew encountered a number of unusual ones. From the exocomps to the Crystalline Entity to Gomtuu, TNG showed us that life comes in many flavors. But perhaps the most unexpected discovery came near the very end of the series when the Enterprise itself began to come alive.

In this episode of The Ready Room we're joined by the Earl Grey crew of Darren Moser, Phillip Gilfus, and Daniel Proulx to discuss the antepenultimate episode of The Next Generation, "Emergence," Troi's gig as a ship counselor (literally!), what Brannon Braga described as an attempt to create the ultimate holodeck story, the tag-team PowerPoint prowess of Data and Geordi, and Beverly's secret fascination with the Orient Express.

In our news segment we discuss the trailers for TNG Season Six and "Chain of Command" on Blu-ray, the collaboration between IDW and Harlan Ellison to bring the original script for "The City On the Edge of Forever" to comics, and we remember TNG's Lt. Commander Daren, Australian actress Wendy Hughes.

As any Star Trek fans knows, the original mission of the Enterprise 1701 was to span five years. Unfortunately, the television executives of the 1960s had other plans as Kirk and his crew sailed off into the darkness after just three seasons. But that doesn't mean the mission didn't continue. What happened after "Turnabout Intruder"? The independent series Star Trek Continues picks up where TOS left off, continuing the five-year mission by telling the stories we didn't see.

In this episode of The Ready Room we're joined by some of the cast and crew of Star Trek Continues to talk about the creation of the series, the first two episodes—"Pilgrim of Eternity" and "Lolani"—and what their plans are for the future. Director Chris White and assistant director Chuck Huber fill us in on the production side while Larry Nemecek (Dr. McCoy) and Todd Haberkorn (Spock) talk about bringing iconic characters to the screen once again. Plus, a surprising number of characters from a galaxy far, far away drop by for a visit.

In our news segment we remember prolific Star Trek director Cliff Bole, find out how Robert Beltran is warming up to Star Trek fans on Twitter and Reddit, run down the Saturn Award nominations for Star Trek Into Darkness, and find out what Larry Nemecek has planned for his invasion of Jacksonville, Florida.

Computers controlling humanoid populations is a common theme in The Original Series, as is the association between these situations and the worship of God here on Earth. In “The Apple,” the two were brought together in a most obvious way as Kirk and his landing party find themselves in the Garden of Eden. To drive the point home, Kirk is even cast in the role of Satan. In this episode of The Ready Room we're joined by Drew Stewart, Mike Schindler, and Marc Cushman, author of These Are the Voyages, for an inside look at this very dangerous trip to paradise. What was the public reaction in the 1960s to a story with such blatant Biblical parallels? How did Gene L. Coon, D.C. Fontana, and the rest of the TOS staff feel about the story? And how does "The Apple" fit into the overall narrative of TOS's second season?

In our news segment we take a look at a new Paramount theme park coming to Spain that will feature Star Trek in its "Plaza Futura," Oregon-based Trek Theatre performing "The Measure of a Man," and io9's list of the ten times Kirk actually faced the no-win scenario—sort of.

Things began to look desperate for Archer and the NX-01 crew near the end of their mission in the Expanse. “Damage” begins with the Enterprise in the middle of battle, nearly destroyed, and Archer still missing. With the fate of Earth (and the future Federation) hanging in the balance, the likelihood that the crew will succeed is dropping rapidly. At the same time, the pressures of the mission are taking their toll on the crew. Phlox has become a battlefield doctor, T'Pol has succumbed to drug addiction, and Archer must make a move than goes against all his beliefs.

In this episode of The Ready Room we're joined by Matthew Rushing and Colin Higgins to discuss "Damage," the ethically dilemma facing Archer, T'Pol's increasing struggle with emotions, the role of the Sphere Builders, and how the cracks forming in the Xindi Council change the nature of the Enterprise's mission.

In our news segment we look in on Destination Star Trek Germany, the premiere of Gates McFadden's new stage play The Ugly One, lost audio commentaries for "Judgment," "North Star," and Star Trek: The Motion Picture recovered by TrekCore, a new release date for the Enterprise Season Four Blu-rays, and in Questions from the Fleet we delve into the lore of 47.

Message In a Bottle.

Ever since the Doctor got his hands on a 29th-century mobile holo-emitter, he had been itching for more away-mission action. And he finally got his chance to get far away from the ship—really far away—in the fourth-season episode “Message In a Bottle.” Thanks to Seven’s discovery of an abandoned alien relay network, the crew found a possible link to a Starfleet ship in the Alpha Quadrant; but only the Doctor could made the trip. Waiting for him on the other side of that network was Matthew from NewsRadio. Sounds like the perfect set up for an episode of Star Trek, right? In this episode of The Ready Room we're joined by Charlynn Schmiedt and Daniel Proulx to discuss this humorous Voyager outing, how it served the Doctor's character development, the technological eye candy it gave us, and how it served as a set-up for a number of far more serious storylines down the road.

In news we look at Scott Bakula's new starring role in the NCIS spinoff set in New Orleans, find out why Spock is riding a unicorn, try to figure out just what Commander Riker is selling in a bizarre YouTube video, check in on Star Trek Continues' second episode premiere, hear what Ronald D. Moore says about Trek returning to television, and take a look at the Star Trek (2009) Masterworks Edition Blu-ray that is coming to Europe.

The Wire.

One of the most fascinating characters in Star Trek is the Cardassian tailor Garak. From the moment he was introduced in the second episode of DS9, “Past Prologue,” it was clear this was going to be a special character. There are many great episodes featuring him, but one the most telling is “The Wire,” a second-season episode focusing on his near death from a malfunctioning brain implant. Ironically, many fans disliked this episode when it first aired because they said they learned nothing new about Garak. In this episode of The Ready Room we're joined by John Mills and Ben McCormick to discuss "The Wire," the interplay between Garak and Bashir, the messages about drug addiction, recovery, spying (it's not just for the Obsidian Order!), and what insights Garak's ever-changing stories offer into who he really is.

In news we find out about a deal to keep Star Trek on Amazon Prime, the 1st Annual L.A. Sci-Fest and its Star Trek connections, the fourth birthday of Star Trek Online, and Chris Pine's hopes for a darker Kirk in the next Star Trek film. Plus, we remember long-time Star Trek props master Joe Longo.

Remember Me.

Beverly Crusher was an underused character on The Next Generation. So much so that the few episodes in which she did play a leading role go largely forgotten—or are remembered for some other aspect or character’s part. Such is the case with the fourth-season episode “Remember Me,” a story that mixes science, philosophy, and perhaps a little romance, then swirls it around in a magic vortex created by Wesley Crusher. In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by Phillip Gilfus, Charlynn Schmiedt, and Tyler Johnson to discuss “Remember Me,” how it serves as part two of The Traveler Trilogy, how it feels more like a stage play than a television show, and how the behavior of the crew in Beverly’s alternate reality reflect her views of those around her—especially Picard.

In news we discuss Star Trek Into Darkness’s Oscar nomination for visual effects, the addition of the Next Generation cast to Star Trek Las Vegas 2014, a secretly filmed fan-made documentary from 1988, the next feature-length TNG Blu-ray release (hint: there are FOUR lights!), and at last the full details on the Enterprise Season 4 Blu-ray extras. Plus, we remember Filmation founder and Star Trek: The Animated Series director Hal Sutherland.

Inside Amok Time with Marc Cushman.

One of the most famous afflictions in Star Trek is the pon farr—also known as the Vulcan Seven Year Itch. And one of the most famous episodes of TOS is the one that introduced us to the pon farr, “Amok Time.” We’ve discussed this episode on The Ready Room before in our show titled “All Roads Lead to Stonn.” But In this episode of The Ready Room we take an inside look at “Amok Time” with Marc Cushman, author of These Are the Voyages: TOS—The Definitive Guide to Gene Roddenberry's Original Television Masterpiece.

In news we discuss Scott Chambliss’s nomination for the Art Directors Guild Excellence In Production Design Award for his work on Star Trek Into Darkness, choose the best guest star from a Star Trek film, and find out why one North Carolina mayor is so upset over the resignation of a council member. We also remember three members of the Star Trek family who we lost since our last show, actors Joseph Ruskin and James Avery, and producer Marty Hornstein.

Few subjects in Star Trek have caused as much controversy as Klingon forehead ridges. A simple lack of resources in 1967 and a big movie budget in 1979 worked together to create one of the greatest debates of our time. Why do some Klingons have ridges while others do not? Deep Space Nine chimed in on the topic in a humorous way in “Trials and Tribble-ations,” but Enterprise sought to create a real in-universe explanation. In the final episode of The Ready Room for 2013 we’re joined by Mike Schindler and Tyler Johnson to discuss the Season Four two-parter, the medical dilemma faced by Phlox, the implications for the Klingon Empire, the Section 31 twist, and whether or not Enterprise helped settle the debate or simply further muddied the waters.

In news we take a look at the Enterprise Season Four Blu-ray set, discuss the five stages of reading the novelization of Star Trek: The Motion Picture, and round out our preview of Five Year Mission’s Year Three with “A Piece of the Action” and “The Immunity Syndrome.”

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News

Enterprise Season Four Blu-rays set for April 1 release

Five Stages of Reading the Novelization of Star Trek: The Motion Picture

Relativity.

Time travel has always been a mainstay of Star Trek storytelling. Starting with “The Naked Time” on TOS all the way to “Storm Front” on Enterprise, our crews have brought us no fewer than 50 flavors of temporal treats. Voyager is tied with TNG for the most time travel outings, and half of these were named to Star Trek 101’s list of Ten Essential Voyager Episodes. In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by Charlynn Schmiedt, Tristan Riddell, and John Mills to discuss one of the most fun—and perhaps most confusing—of these, “Relativity.” From the episode’s start as a “Caretaker” prequel to the Minority Report twist, we debate the pacing, the writing, and revel in the fun of the 29th century.

In news we take a look at some new Voyager fine art prints from Generation Gallery, explore the 8-bit galaxy with Star Trek: Trexels, and discuss LeVar Burton’s support for AIDS research and the We-Care.com contest that lets you win lunch with LeVar. Plus we get an update on Larry Nemecek’s Trekland Trunk and preview “Wolf In the Fold” and “The Trouble With Tribbles” from Five Year Mission’s Year Three.

The Ship.

We don’t often see our DS9 heroes in bright sunlight nor do we see ships buried in the side of mountains. But early in the fifth season of Deep Space Nine we got both rolled up into one as part of a story that would deliver both a tough character moment for O’Brien and a tool the Federation would use late in the Dominion War. In this episode of The Ready Room we’re joined by Michael Fisher, Ben McCormick, and John Mills to discuss “The Ship,” the production challenges faced by the staff and the actors, the hits and misses of this story about a siege, flaring tempers, and death, the always unpredictable nature of the Vorta, and the pettiness of war.

In news we take some intriguing new Star Trek-themed Hot Wheels cars for a spin, share our thoughts on J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay—the two new writers for the next Abramsverse Star Trek film—and we jam out on the new Vulcan Harp iPad app. Plus, we preview “The Deadly Years” and “Obsession” from Five Year Mission’s Year Three.